Approval has been given for an affordable housing development in the Yorkshire Dales despite the local parish council questioning whether the homes were needed.
Members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s planning committee backed proposals by the Upper Dales Community Land Trust to build four affordable rented homes on land next to the Methodist Church in Langthwaite.
The scheme, which also includes a community garden, will provide two two-bedroom and two three-bedroom properties, all to be managed by North Star Housing Association as affordable homes for social rent.
Arkengarthdale Parish Council had objected to the application, saying while it supported the principle of affordable housing, it believed the location was unsuitable.
Parish councillors argued there was no evidence of a specific housing need within Arkengarthdale, highlighted the lack of local services and employment opportunities, and suggested relaxing planning rules on barn conversions would be a better way of helping local people remain in the dale.
However, planning officers concluded the development complied with the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s newly adopted local plan.
They said Langthwaite was an appropriate location for a rural exception housing scheme, and noted that North Yorkshire Council’s housing team had identified a need for 17 affordable homes across Arkengarthdale and neighbouring parishes.
Officers also stressed that the local plan did not require affordable housing need to be demonstrated within an individual parish for such schemes.
This view was supported by members of the planning committee.
Committee member Lizzie Bushby said described it as a “brilliant scheme”.
She added: “Ever since I’ve been involved in the authority, delivering affordable housing, particularly in the north of the park, has been one of the biggest issues that we’ve got.
“I think that it’s absolutely brilliant that there will be four new affordable homes in Arkengarthdale to provide for the wider Swaledale area as well.”
Member Andrew Murday also backed the application.
He said: “There is a lack of suitable accommodation for people that are required, both to service the economy of those places, but also to keep them alive — I think that’s a really important consideration.”
Allen Kirkbride added: “This is probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a place like Arkengarthdale to get social housing.
“If this doesn’t come, I can never see them getting social housing again.”
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What does the council class as affordable ? Developers have a habit of forgetting the affordable bit once planning is granted