Community Consultation
Area Actions and the Private Spaces Public Places (PSPP) Project
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority works closely with local communities in order to fulfil its purposes. Community consultation is an important part of this process. The Authority's Area Actions initiative works with local communities to identify what they would like to be done to improve their area's natural, cultural and built environment and to produce an Area Action Plan that details when and how that work will be undertaken.
Area Actions can help deliver community supported projects relating to the Yorkshire Dales National Park's purposes; conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, and promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities.
Communities are consulted through a series of open days and evenings. These give the communities an opportunity to identify what they feel makes their area special and what work they would like to see done to improve it over the following five year period.
Ideas for projects have ranged from walls and barns restoration work, planting native broadleaf trees to create or extend areas of woodland, improvements to the rights of way network through to initiatives to improve local community services and local transport.
The Authority works with other agencies and bodies, who are active in the area, to make sure the final Area Action Plan compliments the work of others.
The Area Actions initiative is parish based; for example the Three Peaks covers the parishes of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Ingleton, Clapham and Austwick.
To view copies of current Area Action Plans, click on the links below.
- Three Peaks (opens Document Library)
- Arkengarthdale (opens Document Library)
- Dentdale (opens Document Library)
- Upper Wensleydale (opens Document Library)
- Upper Wharfedale (opens Document Library)
Private Spaces Public Places (PSPP) Project
Another recent community based project has been 'Private Spaces Public Places' (PSPP). This was undertaken in selected villages in the Richmondshire area of the National Park towards the end of 2005. The project sought to enable communities to take a more active role in the management and enhancement of the historic character of their villages, and to promote a common outlook on their future development. An Historic Environment Consultancy firm was appointed by the Authority to complete character appraisal documents in consultation with the community. The resulting documents contribute to the above aims. and include an appraisal of the historic character of the village. They form the basis for development of an agreed action plan targeting specific enhancement projects. The final aspect of the project was production of interpretive material about the village. To view this material, please visit the Historic Environment section of our website.
The villages that took part in PSPP were:
Grinton and Upper Swaledale ward: Muker, Gunnerside, Low Row, Keld, Grinton
Bolton Manor ward: Castle Bolton, West Witton
Hawes and High Abbotside ward: Gayle, Burtersett, Sedbusk, Hardraw
Aysgarth ward: Carperby, West Burton, Thornton Rust, Aysgarth, Thoralby, Newbiggin
