Economic growth agenda shapes combined authority planning focus

A combined authority is focusing on expanding its planning service to deliver a vision on economic and jobs growth.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership are entering an important new phase, head of infrastructure and investment Colin Blackburn told Planning.

“Leeds city region is a £60bn economy and our strategic economic plan identifies spatial priorities including growth centres, housing growth areas and strategic employment sites", he said.

“Planning has a key role to play in delivering the strategic economic plan, particularly in creating the conditions for growth. 

“One of the key challenges is continuing to build a pipeline of development projects. Our local planning authorities are all performing well.

“We have advanced cross-boundary partnership arrangements in place, which has helped ensure we have a coordinated approach across the city region.”

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is recruiting to fill a newly created post of policy and implementation officer for spatial planning.

The authority is a partnership of 11 councils, Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield, York, North Yorkshire.

“This new postholder will undertake strategic planning activity in liaison with local planning authorities and other partners. 

“Our infrastructure and investment team leads on development and infrastructure investment for the local enterprise partnership including planning, housing, regeneration and commercial development.”

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