A DETAILED summary of a plan to shape the future of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury is ready for public consultation.

The draft policy document for the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) was approved by the parish council representing these villages at its latest meeting.

Councillor Tito Arana, chairman of the NDP working group, said: “An awful lot of work has gone into this. I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who’s been involved. It’s been a massive undertaking.”

Commenting after the meeting, Cllr David Senior said: “The full parish council has approved our proposed NDP policy ahead of its next stage, that of public consultations for Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury.

“The next issue of our ‘Worth Reading’ newsletter will include details of these consultations, along with a summary of the NDP policy, full details of which will appear on our council’s website.

“Considerable time has been spent preparing this policy by way of a core group of councillors and residents.

“So it’s important all residents and interested parties are given the opportunity not only to view the policy, but to comment on it, before it’s finalised and submitted to Bradford Council for adoption. Drop in sessions have been arranged in November to do just that.”

A statement accompanying the draft policy explains: “NDPs such as ours are a first. For the first time, Government has given communities the power to produce plans which, once adopted, carry real legal weight in the planning system.

“Our plan can’t dictate housing numbers or dispute the sites on which Bradford decides houses will be built.

“The plan can’t stop all change, but it can help control it so we get the best possible deal for the area. With housing, the plan can significantly influence both housing densities and housing mix to meet local needs.

“By having an adopted plan we can benefit from new developments, because the parish council can draw down 10 per cent more Community Infrastructure Levy funding – 25 per cent rather than 15 per cent – from Bradford Council to spend on community needs, than it would be able to without such a plan.”

The consultation period runs from October 26 to December 7. Public drop in sessions will run from 7pm to 9pm on November 12 at Lees Primary School, November 13 at Stanbury Village School and November 22 at West Lane Baptist Church, Haworth. To respond to the document online, visit haworthcrossroadsstanburyndp.org.uk