Purpose

West Yorkshire Combined
Authority (WYCA) is seeking support from Kirklees Council and other
West Yorkshire authorities (Bradford, Calderdale, Leeds, and
Wakefield Councils) for the joint production of a Mass Transit SDF
DPD (with WYCA acting as co-ordinator). This would be a high-level
document setting out the vision for a West Yorkshire wide Mass
Transit system providing an overarching framework for Local Plans
and more detailed policy guidance.
 
Additional benefits of an SDF
DPD are:
 

·      
To support WYCA’s business case for a MT
network.

·      
To support a Transport and Works Act Order which
will grant the line and stations deemed consent (or planning
permission).
To raise awareness of the
proposal, a report will be presented to Cabinet for ratification. A
decision to proceed with the production of a joint Mass Transit SDF
DPD is a decision of Council.
 
Background
papers
Local Development Scheme
Revisions – Cabinet 8th July 2025
 
Background information
Officer technical working
groups with WYCA and West Yorkshire authorities on the vision and
development of potential options has led to the consideration of a
joint MT SDF DPD to support the delivery of a West Yorkshire wide
Mass Transit system.
 
At
the WYCA Transport Committee on 14th March 2024, the
Combined Authority approved the allocation of up to £1
million funds from the Mass Transit budget to support the
feasibility of the Dewsbury Line Development
Project.
 
WYCA undertook consultation on a Mass Transit
Vision between 17th October 2022 and 16th
January 2025:
West Yorkshire Mass Transit Vision 2040 | Your Voice
 

To demonstrate support
for Mass Transit to the Department of Transport, all West Yorkshire
authorities were asked to agree the West Yorkshire Mass Transit
Vision 2040 (August 2023) 

Mass Transit Vision 2040
(westyorks-ca.gov.uk). Kirklees Council
signed up to the vision and is named in the document. However, it
should be stated, that the adoption of the vision only commits the
council to supporting the scheme in principle subject to further
detailed work to be undertaken.
 
WYCA undertook consultation on
Mass Transit Phase 1: (Leeds Line and Bradford Line):

Mass Transit Hub | Your Voice between
15th July 2024 and 30th September
2024.

Content

RESOLVED –
 

1)   
That following and subject to approval (2) at Council, approval be
given to the establishment of a Joint Member Committee to oversee
the drafting of the joint West Yorkshire Mass Transit Spatial
Development Framework Part 1 Development Plan Document.

2)   
That the proposal to produce a Joint West Yorkshire Mass Transit
Spatial Development Framework Part 1 Development Plan Document be
submitted to a meeting of Council with a recommendation to
approve.

3)   
That subject to (1) the proposal to delegate authority for initial
early engagement and public consultation (Regulation 18) on the
draft joint West Yorkshire Mass Transit Spatial Development
Framework Development Plan Document and to prepare the submission
draft and consultation for Regulation 19 to the Joint Member
Committee be submitted to a meeting of Council with a
recommendation to approve.