Management Plan - North York Moors National Park

5. CommunitiesThe remote nature of the National Park and its dispersed patternof small rural settlements with limited services, facilities andpublic transport are key challenges. The policies in the LocalDevelopment Framework allow for some limited developmentopportunities to improve the sustainability of communitiesincluding new facilities, housing and employment. There arestrong cross boundary relationships with the larger towns andcities outside the National Park which provide services andfacilities for a large rural hinterland, for example Whitby providesemployment and facilities for the communities in the northernpart of the National Park. The National Park has the potentialto deliver some of the energy requirements for its communitiesfrom renewable and low carbon sources.The culture and traditions of National Park communities are partof the cultural heritage that are to be conserved and enhancedunder the first National Park purpose.5.1 Involvementfor volunteering in the National Park, such as the CountrysideVolunteer Service run by North Yorkshire County Council.The National Park Authority has worked with two communities,Hutton Buscel and Osmotherley, to prepare Village DesignStatements which have been adopted as SupplementaryPlanning Documents. There will be continued close workingwith other communities such as Helmsley in the preparation ofa Development Plan Document for the town. The Localism Acthas introduced legislation which enables local communities toproduce their own Neighbourhood Plans.Challenges● Integrating Neighbourhood Plans and NeighbourhoodDevelopment Orders within the planning system.● Addressing the introduction of the ‘community right tochallenge’ in the Localism Act which enables voluntarygroups, social enterprises, Parish Councils and others to runlocal authority services.In 15 Years Time…Communities have taken greater ownership of activities in theNational Park and are more involved in the provision of services.The National Park Authority has a strengthened element of localrepresentation via Parish Councils.Communities and individuals are more likely to support activitiesin the National Park if they have been involved in discussions andhave had some influence over the development of proposals.The National Park Authority has a long track record of workingwith local communities in all areas of its work. The Authorityconvenes four Parish Forums which are a way of ensuring aregular dialogue between Parish Councils and the National ParkAuthority and other organisations working in the National Park.There are also opportunities for involving local people in thework of the Authority through the Volunteer Service whichprovides the opportunity to experience a diverse range ofcountryside management activities as well as helping at eventsand visitor centres. Other organisations also offer opportunities100 www.northyorkmoors.org.uk