Management Plan - North York Moors National Park

Communities5.4 Housing and New DevelopmentThe policies for new development in the National Park arecontained in the North York Moors Local DevelopmentFramework which was adopted in 2008. The principles ofsustainable development underpin its policies. In a NationalPark, sustainable development involves putting specialemphasis on conserving and enhancing the landscape,biodiversity, cultural heritage, tranquillity and natural resources.Promoting public understanding and enjoyment of theseshould lie at the very heart of developing a strong economyand sustaining thriving local communities 67 .The spatial strategy in the Local Development Frameworkfocuses new development in the more sustainable settlementsin the National Park whilst allowing for some small scaledevelopment in the smaller villages to maintain their vitality.It also seeks to reconcile potentially competing pressures– conserving and enhancing the National Park’s natural beautywith meeting the development needs of local communitiesand encouraging opportunities for the understanding andenjoyment of the National Park.There has been a significant increase in house prices overthe life of the current Management Plan from an average of£119,000 in 1998 to £250,879 in 2010, although prices havedropped slightly following a peak in 2008. Affordability is anacute issue for newly forming households and young peoplemany of whom move away to find more affordable properties.This is leading to an imbalance in the age and social structurein rural communities with less support for services such asschools and shops and a loss of social networks. The LocalDevelopment Framework makes provision for affordablehousing and since 2006 77 affordable houses have beenbuilt through partnership working between the National ParkAuthority, Rural Housing Enablers, Housing Providers and theconstituent Housing Authorities. The North Yorkshire StrategicHousing Market Assessment 68 identifies an ongoing need foraffordable housing in the National Park.Affordability problems are exacerbated by second homes whichin the 2001 census were 12% 69 of all properties in the NationalPark, though in some communities the proportion is muchhigher. The planning process cannot prevent second homepurchase unless a local occupancy condition is in place.The Authority has also produced a number of SupplementaryPlanning Documents covering design, housing and renewableenergy and is currently producing a Helmsley Plan jointly withRyedale District Council and a plan for Whitby Business Parkjointly with Scarborough Borough Council.Challenges● Dealing with the implications of the Localism Act which couldlead to significant changes for the planning system includinga more community led approach with more responsibilitydevolved to the town and Parish Councils.● Cuts in public spending which will have a significant impacton the capacity of partner organisations to support ruralservices and deliver rural housing, for example grant fundingto support rural affordable housing schemes on exceptionsites.● Pressure for development outside but affecting the setting ofthe National Park, particularly wind farms.In 15 Years Time…The number of people in need of housing has decreased throughthe provision of more affordable homes. New development haspreserved and reinforced the special qualities of the National Park.67 Adapted from English National Parks and the Broads –UK Government Vision and Circular 2010 (DEFRA, 2010)68 North Yorkshire Strategic Housing Market Assessment(North Yorkshire Strategic Housing Partnership, 2011)69 Defined as households with no occupants and includesholiday lets and second homes106 www.northyorkmoors.org.uk