A new planning blueprint designed to keep more homes available for local people and support communities across the Yorkshire Dales has been formally adopted following years of consultation and independent examination.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority says its new Local Plan for 2025-2040 puts local communities “at its heart” while ensuring the National Park’s landscapes and wildlife continue to be protected.
The plan, which has been developed over six years before undergoing independent examination, will guide decisions on where new homes, businesses and infrastructure are built across the National Park over the next 15 years.
One of its most significant measures is a new requirement that all newly built homes must be occupied as a principal residence, preventing them from being used as second homes or holiday lets.
The authority says the policy is intended to ensure new housing benefits local people, particularly younger families and working households who want to live and work in the National Park.
The Local Plan also allocates land for almost 400 new homes to help meet identified local housing needs, with a strong emphasis on affordable housing. In addition, it allows small-scale housing developments in around 100 villages where they are needed to support local communities.
Alongside housing, the plan aims to strengthen the rural economy by supporting farm diversification, encouraging rural businesses and promoting sustainable tourism that benefits local residents.
It also includes policies to encourage low-carbon energy projects, improve walking and cycling routes and strengthen protections for the National Park’s landscapes, wildlife and internationally recognised dark skies.
Chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Derek Twine, said the document represented a major milestone for both the National Park and the people who live and work there.
“This Local Plan is a real step forward for the Dales and, most importantly, for the communities living and working here,” he said.
“It represents the culmination of years of consultation, evidence gathering and public input.”
Mr Twine said the authority believed the plan struck the right balance between supporting economic growth and protecting the area’s special qualities.
“The Plan strikes the right balance – supporting jobs, homes and investment while protecting the landscapes and special qualities that make the National Park such a unique place,” he said.
“It gives communities and businesses the certainty and confidence they need to plan for the future.”
He added that although it had taken seven years to reach adoption, the focus would now shift to delivering its ambitions by working alongside housing authorities, local councils, economic development organisations and other partners to implement the policies and achieve the objectives set out in the National Park Management Plan for 2025 to 2030.
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Heard it all before . Developers will find a way round the rules just like they have everywhere else.They are currently building in Leyburn and Bellerby, hardly any affordable homes for local young people but plenty of big houses for southerners with deep pockets.