Meetings to discuss housing shortage

Sites have been identified across the National Park to help alleviate the continuing need for cheaper properties as the Dales remains one of the most sought-after locations in the country for holiday homes.

The three meetings will include presentations about the context, objectives and proposed policies in a draft housing plan, followed by question-and -answer sessions.

The National Park Authority set up a housing working group last year which called on organisations and individuals to suggest potential sites for development.

More than 140 locations were put forward and a shortlist of 38 sites has gone out for consultation.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's member champion for forward planning and the working group's chairwoman, Councillor Yvonne Peacock, said: "The objective of the draft housing development plan is to reduce the shortfall of local, affordable housing in support of long-term community sustainability.

"These meetings will be an opportunity for people to contribute to the housing debate and to engage with officers and members involved in the review of planning policy for housing."

The first meeting will be at the Authority's Yoredale offices in Bainbridge on Monday July 5, while the second event will be at Grassington Town Hall on Thursday July 15.

The third meeting will be at the People's Hall in Sedbergh on Monday July 19.

All three events will run from 7pm until 9pm.

Details of the shortlisted sites as well as the housing development plan are online at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/housingdevelopmentplan.