THE Boundary Commission has published its proposals for changes to constituency borders across the UK this morning – but what does it mean for Bradford?

The much-anticipated proposals are part of the Commission’s 2023 Review, with a public consultation now open until the beginning of August for people to give their views on the proposed changes.

It will publish its final recommendations in two year’s time on how the country’s constituencies should be changed to rebalance population figures in each area.

In Bradford, it is recommending that one ward is torn away from one constituency and moved to another, while in the local area Batley and Spen is being changed drastically, impacting on other seats around it which will also see changes as a result.

In Bradford, the Council ward of Clayton and Fairweather Green is being removed from the Bradford West constituency of Naz Shah MP, and absorbed by Bradford South which is represented by Judith Cummins, with Great Horton moving in the opposite direction.

This is the only change in the district proposed. A couple of years ago it was being proposed that Bradford South would absorb the Spen Valley in a huge change to the area’s layout, but this idea has been binned.

However, Batley and Spen could see major changes – becoming a new constituency called Batley and Hipperholme with wards added and removed as part of the shake-up.

As part of this change, Hipperholme, Lightcliffe, Norwood Green and Bailiff Bridge will be removed from the Calder Valley constituency and moved in with Batley and the Spen Valley.

The new constituency would straddle Kirklees and Calderdale Council.

Councillor David Kirton (Conservative, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) called the proposed change "crazy".

He said: "I'm not happy about it at all, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe should be in Calder Valley, end of, and so should Brighouse.

"I need to speak to my colleagues and our MP Craig Whittaker about this to see what other options are available.

"I'd urge people to voice their concerns in the consultation, I think many people here will want to. It all just seems a bit weird, it's crazy."

The town of Heckmondwike and village of Norristhorpe have also been removed from Batley and Spen and tagged onto Dewsbury as part of the changes.

Cllr Viv Kendrick (Labour, Heckmondwike) said: "It would be a shame, people in Heckmondwike do regard themselves as part of Spen and there is a real community feel.

"It would be a bit sad if it happens, but if it does so be it, we were part of Dewsbury in the past and got moved out then!"

From 1997 to 2010 Heckmondwike was part of the Dewsbury seat, and also from 1950 to 1955 and from when the seat was established in 1868 to 1885.

In further changes to the Calder Valley constituency, Brighouse has also been removed from the area and would become part of the Halifax constituency.

The public consultation on the plans is now open, and closes on August 2. To view the proposals and have your say, visit www.bcereviews.org.uk