Local people are being invited to have their say about a draft Conservation Area appraisal drawn up to identify and assess the special interest of the village of Askrigg in Wensleydale.
Although Askrigg Conservation Area was officially designated by North Yorkshire County Council in 1987, it was done without any sort of appraisal. The draft appraisal now published sets out in detail the buildings, features and character that make Askrigg so special. It also identifies ways to conserve and enhance that character and proposes a revision of the Conservation Area boundary.
Julie Martin, the Authority’s Member Champion for Cultural Heritage, said:
“This is a fascinating and beautifully illustrated analysis of the historic character of the village of Askrigg, which has long been one of my favourite places in Wensleydale. The village has a very strong and individual sense of place, and this is one of its key attractions. This new document will be an important reference source for years to come. We very much hope that the local community will read the draft appraisal and let us have their comments. We would especially love to hear local views on how best to manage, conserve and enhance the village’s numerous fine buildings and their stunning landscape setting”.
The document is now publicly available for inspection so that people can voice their opinions and provide feedback about the appraisal. The draft appraisal and feedback form can be accessed online here.
Paper copies of the document are available at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority office (Yoredale, Bainbridge, DL8 3EL. Phone: 0300 456 0030) and with the Askrigg Parish Clerk (please call 01969 650909 or 07917 165204 to make arrangements). The public consultation period ends on 2 January 2022.
Askrigg is one of 47 Conservation Areas within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It was designated in 1987. A Conservation Area appraisal is designed to highlight what is architecturally or historically important about a designated area, to identify any problems within it and to assess whether its boundary is still appropriate.
We own 29 self catering properties with an adjoining 11 bedroom hotel and restaurant in the heart of Askrigg. Whilst we fully appreciate the need to preserve the beautiful natural and built environment of the area we are concerned that any changes to Conservation Area designation could put inflationary pressure on house prices making it ever more difficult for local people and key workers to live in the area. We would encourage an enhanced policy and consideration for affordable and key worker housing within the Conservation area to help with this issue. Thank you for considering this. Ollie Peacock BSc MRICS
Thanks for the feedback Ollie. If you haven’t already, please do register your comments on our feedback form – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6WTPMBP
Perhaps Mr Peacock should sell his 29 self catering properties to local people who work in the area – the continuing trend of property being taken out of the residential field and converted to self catering use only is killing communities within the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
This property organisation has made Askrigg what it is a thriving village, it pays excellent wages to local people who work there it also helps maintain three shops three pubs who all cater with excellent food, this for a parish population of four hundred is quite unique in the dales.