The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is encouraging residents who have planning permissions for new homes to ‘get building’ in order to support the housing ambitions of North Yorkshire and Westmorland & Furness Councils. This plea comes off the back of approval for the development of nine new homes near Settle, which has taken 10 years to come to fruition.
The planned development on Stackhouse Lane, Giggleswick, includes the creation of four open market homes and five more affordable dwellings aimed at local people.
Richard Foster, Member Champion for Sustainable Development at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said:
“It’s great news to finally be able to move forward with this development, which was originally earmarked as a site for housing development around 10 years ago. I would like to thank the developer for working closely with us on an appropriate design and mix of accommodation for the site.
“With the urgent need for affordable housing firmly in the spotlight right now, I would encourage residents and landowners who have existing planning permissions, or who own allocated housing sites in the Local Plan, to move their projects forward. The National Park Authority has approved 445 new houses over the last five years, so there is a supply of new homes waiting to be built now.
“We need to support the local councils in helping to get affordable housing built in the National Park, so households growing up in the area or working here can contribute positively to keeping schools open, retaining local services and contributing to the local economy. The sooner we can move forward with some of these sites the sooner housing becomes available for our local communities.
“The new Government has said much about planning reforms and one area that might be worth more discussion is how to ensure, once planning permissions for homes have been granted or land has been set aside for housing, that these homes actually get built. We have tens of thousands of homes across North Yorkshire where this is the case. I’d suggest people need to use it or lose it.”
I agree, I think some of the housing should be set aside for the local residents only at a fair price. Don’t loose the local knowledge of the Yorkshire dales.
The accent is dying out don’t loose the knowledge of history.
Holiday cottages ruin the community feel. How can I make good friends with my neighbors if they are going to change twice a week? I want to make dependable friends.
How dreadful that of all the places to build a new housing estate it is has irresponsibly been granted in the national park. There are other suitable sites outside the national park that do not require such intrusion. Such a shame that local council leaders are showing little respect and failing to protect national park heritage. Very sad.