The Challenge

• We worked with clients on land parcels which were identified in the Wakefield Green Belt. 
• It was important that a robust case was presented to the Council that supports the Green Belt release, which considered the function of the Green Belt and demonstrated that the sites are suitable and deliverable for development. 
• Without a strong case to support the release of Green Belt, there was a risk that if the sites were allocated without the evidence, they could be de-allocated at Examination by the Inspector.

Our Solution

• Our team identified a clear pathway of action that included meeting with planning policy officers, undertaking a Green Belt review, instructing highway consultants, urban designers, gathering evidence of housebuilder interest, and undertaking a review of the Council’s Local Plan, evidence base and previous consultation responses.
• All three land parcels were promoted through the emerging Wakefield District Local Plan 2036, and have successfully been identified to be released from the Green Belt and identified for development.
• We provided consultation responses through the plan making process, submitted Hearing Statements to the examination, and attended the hearings. This focused on demonstrating the suitability & deliverability of the site and why it should be removed from the Green Belt.

The Results

• The sites are due to be allocated within the Wakefield Local Plan as a ‘Special Policy Area’ and residential allocations, totalling around 700 new homes and 14 hectares of employment land across the 3 sites. 
• We are currently working with house builder clients to bring planning applications forward for two sites to be determined once the Local Plan is adopted.