Home cost rockets in Yorkshire beauty spot

A survey of properties in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) shows the value of homes in Nidderdale rose by 98 per cent to £192,552 over the period, the seventh biggest increase in England.

Property in the Howardian Hills, at an average of £186,524, was the 10th least expensive.

The research, by Lloyds TSB, raises issues about the affordability of housing for those living and working in the areas.

The average AONB house price of £235,215 in 2012 is around seven times higher than average gross annual earnings, up from a multiple of 4.9 in 2002.

The most expensive was the Surrey Hills, at £497,568, while the biggest rises were on the Solway Coast, where the increase of 124 per cent pushed the average price to £178,049.

Ryedale Council leader, Coun Keith Knaggs, said: “House prices may be lower in the Howardian Hills than the Surrey Hills but incomes are a lot lower too. The true measure of affordability is the ratio between house prices and income. By that measure Ryedale has one of the highest ratios in England outside London, and that’s been the case for some years.

“If that is the case for Ryedale as a whole it must be even more so for the Howardian Hills. Some of Yorkshire’s most attractive countryside outside the national parks, unspoilt villages set in gently rolling country, lots of places to visit, yet within easy distance of York and indeed within commuting distance of Leeds and Wakefield – what’s not to like?

“Not so attractive though if you are the son or daughter of a local farmer or business person.”

The study found that home buyers pay a premium of nearly £15,000 to live in such places, compared with prices in the surrounding area.