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11
Aug 2023
Criticism as ‘affordable’ Yorkshire Dales national park houses marketed at up to £320,000
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is facing criticism after it emerged properties built as part of a flagship affordable housing scheme designed to enable young people to get a “first foot on the property ladder” are being marketed at up to £320,000.
A Yorkshire Dales community leader and local families have said the shared ownership properties at The Hornblower Court development in Bainbridge, the cost of which averages at £278,000, are in no way affordable and have done nothing to ease the housing crisis in Wensleydale or the national park.
The development in the highly protected area was only given consent on condition that it delivered affordable housing.
Under the scheme, potential buyers wanting a 25% share in a £320,000 end of terrace three-bedroom property would pay a weekly rent of £126.92 while also paying off their £80,000 contribution.
The homes are being marketed under shared ownership following the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority being threatened by a neighbouring resident to the site with High Court action over its decision to approve the original scheme, which saw the most expensive property priced at £196,000.
In 2019, averting potential huge court costs, the park authority conceded £196,000 was not affordable for many local residents and started working with Broadacres Housing Association on an alternative scheme.
After the house prices were revealed, Bainbridge residents described the development as a missed opportunity to stem the departure of young people from the area.
One resident, whose name is withheld, said:
Upper Dales councillor Yvonne Peacock added:
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Member champion for sustainable development at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Richard Foster, said the authority was examining how it could ensure a range of affordable housing tenures were available in its forthcoming Local Plan.
He said:
Broadacres’ director Helen Fielding said the housing association fully understand many local people in rural parts of North Yorkshire found it difficult to buy a home in their home communities because prices are so high, particularly in the national park.
She added:
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