Communities divided over affordable housing

PEOPLE living in the Yorkshire Dales are divided over plans to provide affordable housing in rural communities within the National Park, say officials.

The first of three public meetings – held in Bainbridge this week and attracting 34 people – enabled residents to say what they thought about a draft housing development plan that has been drawn up by the planners.

It follows calls last year by the Housing Working Group, set up to oversee the review of housing policy, for residents and organisations to put forward potential sites for affordable housing.

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More than 140 were suggested and, of those, 38 have been put on a shortlist for consultation.

At the first meeting a strong plea was made for the advantages of building "lifetime homes" in the National Park capable of adapting to the evolving needs of a household throughout its whole life.

Also discussed was the relationship between jobs and affordable housing, as well as the effect that the emerging plan is having on house sales and its slow rate of progress.

Many had gone to discuss the proposed new housing sites in Reeth, West Witton and Bainbridge. Issues of flood risk, over-provision of land and impact on the outlook of existing property were raised.

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While there was a general sympathy for the need to tackle affordable housing there was little agreement over how and where this should take place.

There were strong opinions on both sides, said Working Group Chairman Yvonne Peacock.

She said: "I was pleased that not all the debate was focused on the issue of individual sites and that some of the other housing policies were also discussed and received support.

"It is clear, however, that we will need to keep the plan moving forward as speed of progress is now an area of public concern."

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The consultations still have three weeks to run. The next public meetings, from 7pm to 9pm, are on July 15 at Grassington Town Hall, and July 19 at the People's Hall in Sedbergh.

For more information and to book a seat contact Peter Stockton, Strategic Planning Officer, Yoredale, Bainbridge, North Yorkshire DL8 3EL, or call 01969 652334, or email [email protected]