This is a rough summary of our submission to Calderdale Council's review of their Unitary Development Plan.

One of the things we stressed to the council was the importance of incorporating its existing environmental policies into all planning decisions. In particular:-

1. The resolution that "this Authority sets a target to achieve by the year 2005 a 30% reduction from 1990 levels of emissions of carbon dioxide due to energy and transport use in the Authority's georgraphical area". (This resolution was passed as a result of our campaigning last year).

2. The West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan, which calls for a 0% growth rate in traffic by 2006. (We would have preferred a much tougher target!)

To these two core criteria, we added a third:-
3. The Council should commit itself to maintaining and if possible increasing biodiversity in the area. In practice this would rule out any development on nature conservation sites.

Employment and Economy

- we want the UDP to draw a distinction between "economic growth" and "economic well-being; the former is easily measurable, but is not a very good indicator of quality of life and the well-being of the community.

- the only truly "sustainable" economy must be largely based on local production for local use, and council policies should be based on facilitating this. Support should be given to existing local traders and facilities such as post offices and local pubs.The council should source goods locally, wherever possible, and encourage people to shop locally. Regular farmer's markets should be established. No further superstores should be build.

Housing

The Government has told Calderdale that it must provide 5,000 new homes, and the council discussion document looked at ways of minimizing the impact of this (e.g. conversions, flats above shops, reducing the number of empty homes). We backed these ideas and also pointed out:-

- The 0% traffic growth target, means that any new housing cannot include car parking. Car-free developments have been successful on the continent.

- If the Council is to achieve its carbon dioxide targets, it is essential that all new homes are designed to be very low energy use, perhaps incorporating alternative energy - e.g. solar.

Environment

Not surprisingly, we stressed the need for planting new woodlands and wildlife corridors to "recycle" carbon dioxide pollution, provide habitats, and reduce the risk of flash floods. (Not to mention the added benefit of employment opportunities from a revival in coppicing, willow working, charcoal making, sustainable woodland management, tree nurseries, etc.). We pointed to the need for urban trees, which can lead to a marked improvement in people's well-being.

Energy

We supported the development of wind, solar, and small scale biofuels. Energy from waste should be concentrated on landfill gas, or on small scale units attached to industrial locations. On site energy from waste minimizes lorry movements (but plastics should never be burnt).