How much, how big and where?

Local people, organisations and businesses in and around Bradford can next week have their say on a vital stage of work to help shape the future of their region and their community on issues such as transport, housing, leisure, economic development and the environment.

Over the last two years, the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly has been listening to views from across the region to help produce an overall plan on development and change up to 2021 and beyond.

The draft Regional Spatial Strategy, known as the Yorkshire and Humber Plan, is the culmination of more than 18 months work involving input from over 200 organisations and 4,000 specific comments from across the region.

The document has now been handed over to Government, sparking a three month formal consultation period exercise to give organizations and individuals the opportunity to comment on the draft RSS prior to a formal Public Examination hearing in the Autumn.

As part of this, the Assembly will be organizing events, including a radio campaign and public meetings, and producing and distributing information to as wide an audience as possible over the next few months.

The next of these meetings takes place at Victoria Hall, Saltaire, Bradford on Tuesday (14 March), between 6.30pm and 8.30pm. Anyone wanting to attend should contact Jodie Weston on 01924 331602, email jodie.weston@yhassembly.gov.uk.

Local authorities, the region’s MPs, business organizations and a host of other sectors have been involved in helping draw up the draft RSS, which looks in a new way specifically at Yorkshire and Humber’s requirements and will be an important influence on issues such as transport and housing.

“This is part of a new approach to planning,” said Assembly Chair Peter Box.

“It’s about some of the challenges and investment decisions for the region. Where is transport investment most needed, what is the private sector demand and investment in new homes and where should new businesses be most encouraged?

“It’s about how much, how big and where in the region.

“People’s views have already played an important part in helping us draw up the draft strategy- now it’s equally important they will get involved in feeding in comments at this next stage.”

Other Public meetings have already been held in Hull, Sheffield, Leeds and Harrogate. For more details, call the Assembly’s planning team on 01924 331598, or e-mail theplan@yhassembly.gov.uk