Providing guidance to ensure that all development in Calderdale delivers a consistent and high-quality standard of design, creating a rich legacy for the future.

Calderdale Council adopted the Placemaking and Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in July 2024. To view the SPD, please visit calderdale.gov.uk/spds.

The Calderdale Placemaking and Design Guide SPD has since been acknowledged as a Winner at the Planning Awards 2024, being successful in the Stakeholder Engagement in Planning category.

Please see below a two part presentation which introduces the SPD and summarises the outcomes of an implementation workshop which was held in early October 2024​​.

The SPD will be applied to all development requiring planning permission in Calderdale. The SPD is a local design guide that will help to: Provide guidance for those involved in new development; Deliver healthier environments; Deliver better places, buildings and homes in Calderdale.

The Guide will help deliver a consistent and high-quality standard of design, creating a legacy for the future and meeting the Council’s priorities to reduce inequalities, create thriving towns and places, and tackle the climate emergency.

Public events

A series of public events with the local community together with an online interactive map were organised to invite local people to share their thoughts and help shape the emerging Guide, whilst also raising awareness of how it will benefit the planning process for applicants and the whole community.

The events were held at:

– The Town Hall, Hebden Bridge – Tuesday 16 May 2023
– The Piece Hall, Halifax – Wednesday 17 May 2023
– Southgate Methodist Church, Elland – Wednesday 24 May 2023
– St. John the Divine Brighouse & Rastrick – Thursday 25 May 2023

Following the events, the JTP team analysed the outcomes to draw up an initial draft of the Placemaking and Design Guide. A Community Review Panel was subsequently formed, with volunteer members from across the borough, to help shape and comment on the Guide through the drafting stages.

Background

As part of the emerging Calderdale Local Plan, The Placemaking and Design Guide (as it will be known) will provide guidance to ensure that all developments in Calderdale deliver a consistent and high-quality standard of design creating a rich legacy for the future. The document will set out what well-designed streets, neighbourhoods, places and buildings should look like and how development should respond to and reinforce the distinct character of Calderdale. The Guide will also include advice on how to prepare and submit planning applications.

For more information about the Calderdale Placemaking and Design Guide please email spatial.planning@calderdale.gov.uk or visit the Council’s website.