Yorkshire councils review housing plans after flooding

YORKSHIRE COUNCILS in areas hit by the winter floods have confirmed they are reviewing their plans for future housing.
Hebden Bridge was among the areas hit by floodingHebden Bridge was among the areas hit by flooding
Hebden Bridge was among the areas hit by flooding

Calderdale, York and Leeds councils will look at whether sites for new housing remain suitable in the light of the latest floods.

Local Government Secretary Greg Clark has told councils to produce local plans by next year identifying land to meet housing needs for the next 15 years.

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Calderdale Council is currently considering which sites to include and a report for councillors said the authority “will now need to revisit this exercise because our understanding of risk levels in different parts of the [Calder]valley is very likely to change”.

Coun Barry Collins, the cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We will continue to carefully consider the implications of flooding as the Local Plan progresses towards adoption in late 2017, and when assessing planning applications.”

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said it was working with the Environment Agency to ensure “concerns that they may have on individual sites, including those affected by the recent floods, are fully taken into account.”

Neil Ferris, York Council’s acting director of city and environmental services, said the local plan was an “evolving document” that would be changed to take new information into account.