Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
05
Sept
Knaresborough residents urged to have their say on neighbourhood plan
Knaresborough residents are being urged to have their say on a document that could give them a greater voice in shaping the town's development.
The Knaresborough Neighbourhood Development Plan covers issues such as where people in the town want new houses to be built and how green spaces should be protected.
The plan, which has taken more than 10 years to draft, is at its fourth and final consultation stage.
Consultation ends on September 25. It will then be reviewed by independent examiners on behalf of North Yorkshire Council before the town votes on whether to legally adopt it. If more than 50% of voters do so, it must be considered when planning applications are considered.
Knaresborough town councillor David Goode told a meeting of Knaresborough & District Chamber on Wednesday (September 3):
It will be a very powerful tool if we can get enough support for it to become legal. It will mean new developments will have more of a look and feel of Knaresborough’s character today.
It will be a key document that will frame and shape Knaresborough’s future.
Cllr Goode added the neighbourhood plan would also influence the North Yorkshire Local Plan, which North Yorkshire Council is drawing up to shape development in the county until 2045.
The neighbourhood plan covers the period until 2035 and consists of a series of planning policies compiled by residents to safeguard the most precious parish assets by helping to determine what design, materials and environmental conditions should be attached to any successful planning applications.
The Localism Act 2011 enabled local communities to produce neighbourhood plans to give them a greater say in planning issues.
Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, said:
The consultation is an important opportunity for the local community to have its say on the neighbourhood plan, which will provide a blueprint on how future developments in their communities could look.
If adopted, this plans can be used to determine future planning applications – so it’s vitally important that everyone has the chance to understand what has been proposed and pass on their views.
People can view the consultation document and comment here. Printed copies are available at Knaresborough Library and the Civic Centre in Harrogate.
Other Knaresborough news
The chamber meeting also heard:
- Knaresborough Christmas Market will take place on December 6 and 7. Bill Taylor is going to shadow long-time organiser Hazel Haas with a view to taking over next year. A tiered pricing structure has been introduced for traders depending on their location within the market.
- A land train could be trialled for a fortnight at Easter next year, but this is subject to funding.
- Town crier Mark Hunter hopes to bring the British Town Crier Championships to Knaresborough in 2030, which will be the 900th anniversary of Knaresborough Castle.
- New illustrated town maps, designed by artist Helen Salmons and funded by Knaresborough Town Council, are now available around the town.
0