Reform leader seeks to change housing plan he backed as Labour

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 12:50 · Archive

Calderdale Council's Reform leader Dan Sutherland has asked the Housing Secretary for powers to alter a local housing plan he voted to approve in 2023 as a Labour councillor.

Calderdale Council leader Dan Sutherland has written to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner requesting powers to alter the borough's Local Plan, which he previously supported as a Labour councillor. The letter states the council is 'angry' about housing requirements imposed on the borough and seeks 'changes that allow us to make planning decisions based on local evidence'.

Sutherland, who served as cabinet member for planning, housing and environment during much of the plan's creation, was among 26 Labour councillors who voted to approve the Local Plan in 2023, despite angry protests outside Halifax Town Hall. In his letter, he argues that development on Green Belt land will have 'lasting consequences' for Calderdale and expresses concerns that population projections underlying the plan have been overstated. According to the Telegraph & Argus, Sutherland's assessment suggests almost half the allocated housing sites could be removed while retaining capacity for projected population growth.

Having defected to Reform in 2025, Sutherland is now seeking to revise a policy he had championed as Labour's planning lead. The Local Plan targets 14,950 homes, with an aim of constructing an average of 997 homes annually.

Reform leader seeks to change housing plan he backed as Labour — Image: Telegraph & Argus

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How it is being reported

'We are angry': Council leader tells Angela Rayner half of new homes can be scrappedCalderdale Council’s leader Dan Sutherland has asked Housing Secretary Angela Rayner for powers to change the Local Plan he voted for.Telegraph & Argus · 5 Nov, 09:52
Council leader asks Angela Rayner for powers to change Calderdale housing plan he voted forCalderdale Council’s leader has asked Angela Rayner for powers to change the housing plan he voted for.Brighouse Echo · 5 Nov, 09:45
Reform council leader 'angry' over housing plan he voted for as Labour councillorCllr Dan Sutherland has written to Housing Secretary Angela Rayner seeking changes to the Calderdale Local PlanHuddersfield Examiner · 5 Nov, 04:00

In this story: Dan Sutherland · Angela Rayner · Calderdale Council · Calderdale

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