Launch of new strategy to help deliver development projects

A new strategy, which aims to help with the delivery of new developments across the Leeds district, has been officially launched.

The Leeds Planning Protocol has been formed out of a joint venture between Leeds City Council and the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

The strategy builds on the existing practices of engaging with communities and front loading the planning process, and aims to provide a “more proactive approach” in delivering development growth in Leeds.

Speaking at the launch of the protocol at the Leeds Chamber Property Forum, Cllr Richard Lewis, executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “It has been a time of significant change for Leeds in recent years. Leeds has the largest centre outside London for financial and business services, digital, creative, publishing and broadcasting along with the second highest concentration of knowledge intensive jobs.

“The council’s ambitious Core Strategy sees a commitment to delivering thousands of new houses whilst retaining the focus on building strong and vibrant communities with the emphasis on good place making and high quality homes.

“This sustainable growth can only happen if the right development comes forward in the right place at the right time and works successfully if there is collaboration between the Council, local communities and developers to secure that growth.”

David Rolinson, chair of planning consultants, Spawforths and chair of the Chamber’s housing group, added: “In 2018 we published Liveability Leeds, a report which set out how we could deliver housing growth in a more positive and less confrontational manner across the city.

“Within the report we acknowledged that more needed to be done to ensure we built the right housing in the right places, whilst ensuring communities were bought in to the process.

“The planning protocol has been a great example of collaboration between public and private sector and I would like to congratulate Leeds plans panel members and the wider development community for driving this ambition forward.”