ONLINE sessions focusing on key areas of Bradford's Local Plan are being held in the coming days.

Bradford Council says the sessions have been moved online to ensure that the public engagement can continue despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions which have meant that face to face sessions with members of the public would not be possible.

The new Local Plan sets out how the district will grow sustainably over the next 15-20 years and what it means for local communities.

The draft plan features dozens of proposed new sites for housing and employment - on both brownfield and Green Belt land, and a range of policies which will help guide developments and link them to improvements in infrastructure as well as the determination of planning applications.

It also sets out new information on open spaces, green infrastructure and places of ecological value across the district.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Central to the new draft Local Plan of the Bradford district are issues including tackling air pollution, supporting public transport, cycling and walking and making the district a more prosperous and greener place to live, work and enjoy and delivering the district’s net zero carbon ambition by 2038.

Which city centre sites have been allocated for housing in Bradford's Local Plan?

"The better use of brownfield land and regeneration form key parts of the Local Plan with strong ambitions for the continued transformation of the City Centre through potential investment in high speed rail and mass transit.

"The plan also sets out strategies for local areas and how they may evolve with new housing and employment opportunities whilst protecting key local assets and features."

To take part in the consultation visit https://bradford.oc2.uk/document/20.

Those without internet access can phone the Council’s Planning Department on 01274 433679 or email planning.policy@bradford.gov.uk and officers will be able to discuss the Local Plan, take comments and answer questions.

The online consultation closes on 24 March.

To take part in any of the online information sessions people will need to register in advance by emailing catherine.crosswaite@bradford.gov.uk.

To support the effective running of the events people are asked to submit their questions in advance.

Those unable to attend the sessions will still be able to submit questions and following the events the presentations and supporting material will be available on the Council’s website.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration Planning and Transport, said: “Despite the difficulties with carrying out a consultation during the restrictions due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve been able to ensure that it can still go ahead by moving the consultation sessions online.

“We’re making every effort to give people the opportunity to engage with the consultation process, but the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions mean that having the usual face to face consultation sessions aren’t possible or safe.

"We realise that some people don’t have access to the internet so people can contact our Planning Department on 01274 433679 and officers will be able to discuss the Local Plan, take comments and answer questions.

Online sessions began on Monday, and upcoming sessions are as follows

Monday 8th March - The Regional City of Bradford - Key Proposals

12 noon - 1:30pm

Monday 8th March - Housing Policies

4.00-5:30pm

Tuesday 9th March - Wharfedale – Key Proposals

12 noon - 1:30pm

Tuesday 9th March - Transport Policies

4.00-5:30pm

Wednesday 10th March - Pennine Towns and Villages – Key Proposals

12 noon - 1:30pm

Wednesday 10th March - Regeneration – Bradford City and Southern Gateway

4.00-5:30pm

Thursday 11th March - Airedale – Key Proposals

12 noon - 1:30pm

Thursday 11th March - Environmental Policies

4.00-5:30pm

Friday 12th March - Infrastructure planning and the Local Plan

12 noon - 1:30pm

Friday 12th March - Airedale – Key Proposals

4.00-5:30pm