Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Our ref: RA/2006/000192/OR- Planning Services 02/IS1-L01 Northgate House Northgate Your ref: Hebden Royd&the Hill Top Halifax West Date: 02 October 2014 HX1 1UN

Dear Sir/Madam

Consultation on the designation of the Hebden Royd and Hill Top Parishes Development Plan Area

Thank you for your consultation on the above which we received on the 22 nd August 2014.

We have no comments specifically about the proposed boundary for the Neighbourhood Area. We would, however, be grateful if you would pass the attached document to the Town/Parish Councils. This has been prepared by the Environment Agency, English Heritage, Forestry Commission and English Nature and we hope the Parish Council will find it of use when they are considering how to develop their Plan and the issues that our organizations are concerned with and would wish to discuss with the Forum .

The River Calder and its tributaries are significant features within the Neighbourhood Plan Area. Our Flood Map for Planning identifies that there are areas at flood risk within the area. Paragraph 100 of the National Planning Policy Framework sets out the approach to be taken in relation to development in areas at risk of flooding. We welcome that that the need for flood risk reduction and measures to increase flood resilience have been identified within the four environmental aims of the Neighbourhood Development Plan application document.

We have identified that there are designated nature sites within the Neighbourhood Plan and close to its boundaries. Natural have provided further advice in their letter to the Spatial Planning team dated 26th September 2014.

If, as the plan develops you consider that it will affect the Environment Agency’s interests, please consult us at [email protected] . We look forward to hearing from the Town/Parish Councils as the Plan progresses.

Yours faithfully

Ms Rachel Jones Sustainable Places – Planning Specialist

Direct dial 01138196385 Direct fax 01138196299 Direct e-mail [email protected]

Environment Agency Lateral 8 City Walk, LEEDS, LS11 9AT. Customer services line: 03708 506 506 www.gov.uk/environment-agency End