The first major step towards creating a new plan to support sustainable economic growth and prosperous communities in North Yorkshire up to 2045 begins today.
Residents and businesses in the county are being asked to give their views on our first Local Plan, which sets out where land should be provided to accommodate new homes and jobs and the infrastructure needed to go with them.
The strategy also looks at how to protect and enhance the landscape and the historic heritage of the county, address climate change and create healthy communities.
The single countywide policy will replace adopted plans for the previous district and borough council areas of Craven, Hambleton, Harrogate, Richmondshire, Ryedale, Scarborough and Selby.
The Government is due to announce changes to the Local Plan system nationally to make it simpler and shorter, but the council has agreed to press ahead of the revised policies so a countywide plan can be put in place as soon as possible. Any changes brought in by central government can then be transferred to the new plan.
Executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, said: “Once complete, our plan will be used to guide decisions on future development proposals, including determining planning applications.
“It will make it clear where development is acceptable and provide certainty for local communities that all new development will happen in a planned, coordinated and sustainable way.
“But to get to that stage we need our stakeholders to sign up to our Local Plan journey and be part of the early conversation – this consultation will influence what our places and spaces will be like in the future and how we can affect that.”
The eight week-long issues and options consultation exercise is not about specific sites, but asks general questions on delivering sustainable growth, tackling climate change, creating healthy and sustainable communities, meeting housing needs and creating a prosperous economy and resilient town centres.
It also asks for views on sustainable transport, infrastructure needs and how to safeguard the county’s historic heritage. The consultation is aimed at finding out about the specific needs of particular villages, towns and the communities.
Comments will be considered by councillors before a draft plan is formulated by the end of next year ready for further consultation.
Cllr Crane added: “This plan will build on North Yorkshire’s natural capital, strong local economy and resilient communities to improve the way services are delivered and support the good quality of life we have here.
“We want to get early views from a cross section of the community and stakeholders on what the Local Plan should contain and the overall strategy for where new homes and jobs should be located.”
The consultation runs from today (Monday, 19 May) until 15 July. Take part in the consultation online.