Home | Place | Environment and regeneration | Planning and strategic sites

Planning and strategic sites

We work closely with our partners to support the delivery of a strong land planning system in West Yorkshire. This involves speeding up the delivery of key sites and policies. As a result, we can achieve our shared vision and missions.

Across West Yorkshire, our Planning and Strategic Sites Team develops and supports the delivery of spatial strategies. These strategies seek to positively address climate change, promote inclusive growth and ensure good design. We also boost growth by investing in our strategic sites. 

So, what does success look like when we implement these strategies? 

First, all plans balance economic, environmental and social goals. This helps tackle climate change, support fair growth and create better places. We also look beyond local areas to spot regional trends, such as housing and business needs, as well as solving issues that cross boundaries. 

West Yorkshire authorities and partners work together on shared infrastructure needs. This includes transport, digital services, flood protection and waste management. We help our Local Authorities to work collaboratively on strategic planning matters.

It includes the delivery of well-designed homes and business spaces in our Spatial Priority Areas. 

We manage travel impacts from development effectively, through securing funding for sustainable transport. 

Positives that the planning and strategic sites team brings for our region:

  • Supports progress on local plans. 
  • Neighbouring authorities are collaborating well together.
  • Key projects are being successfully delivered, such as the West Yorkshire Investment Zone. 
  • There is a clear commitment to new regional planning through the West Yorkshire Devolution Deal.

Challenges that the planning and strategic sites team actively manage:

  • Balancing economic, environmental and social planning priorities can be difficult. 
  • Achieving the ambitious net zero target by 2038. 
  • Building over 9,000 homes in West Yorkshire each year to meet our collective housing need. 
  • Some areas have financial barriers to new developments. 
  • Ongoing flood risks affect many parts of the region. 

Key policy documents

Find more information on our governance and strategies, spatial approach and related research and publications.

Leeds strategic employment evidence – Land and property

West Yorkshire local aggregate assessment

Spatial priority areas definitions and criteria

Spatial priority areas map

Spatial priority areas prospectus (2025)

West Yorkshire developer advice notice (2021)

Frequently asked questions

Housing and regeneration

Flood risk management

Climate

Launch Accessibility Toolbar