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08
Jun
New North Yorkshire local plan not expected for another 1,236 days
North Yorkshire is not expected to adopt a new local plan for another 1,236 days, according to an update today (June 8).
Local plans outline where development, including houses, can be built.
North Yorkshire Council was supposed to adopt one within five years of its creation on April 1, 2023.
But instead of that deadline of April 2028 it is now working to an adoption date of October 26, 2029.
The council blames government changes to the planning system for the delay.
Nevertheless, the delay will raise fears of more speculative applications by housing developers aware that the lack of an up-to-date local plan makes it more difficult for the council to reject planning applications.
A new housing estate in Northallerton.
'Slippage' warning
The new timeline will be presented to members of the authority’s executive committee when it meets on Tuesday next week (June 16).
Reports to the executive describe the timetable as “challenging” and say there is a risk of further “slippage”.
They also reveal the council is investigating the use of artificial intelligence to respond to residents during the consultation stage on where housing will go.
The local plan timeframe
The single, countywide strategy will replace the local plans of the former district and borough council areas of Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby.
In North Yorkshire, the government has set a target of more than 4,000 new homes per year – almost triple the previous target.
Although this has intensified the need for a local plan, the new timeline reveals it will not happen quickly.
Cllr Mark Crane, the council’s executive member for open to business, said:
We are still at an early stage in this process and it is vital that our communities and stakeholders continue to play a central role in shaping the plan.
There will be a number of opportunities during the plan’s development for people to share their views on what it should include, where new homes and jobs should be located, and how we can protect and enhance the good quality of life that we have here in North Yorkshire.
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