Review of action plan to resume after delay over green belt row

The Yorkshire Post revealed in November that Selby District Council’s Core Strategy, which sets out a development blueprint for the area up to 2026, had been suspended following a two-week hearing into the document.

A Government planning inspector accepted concerns from Yorkshire’s oldest brewery, Samuel Smith’s, and others, that the council expansion into green-belt land to meet housing targets, and excessive growth planned for Tadcaster, represented deficiencies in the plan.

The council was also asked to reconsider overall housing targets.

This followed the presentation of evidence pointing to a level of need “significantly above” its present aim of delivering 440 homes a year.

The authority has moved to allay concerns over delivering homes in the Tadcaster area by suggesting a review of the number of houses proposed, as well as a fresh look at the potential sites earmarked for new development.

It has also agreed to carry out a review of green belt land in areas where there is a high level of housing need in response to issues raised during the initial hearing.

The proposed changes to the strategy went out to public consultation over a six-week period earlier this year and the hearing will now resume on April 17 to consider the altered strategy.

The council’s executive member with responsibility for place shaping, Coun John Mackman, who has taken a lead role in this work, said: “The break in proceedings has given us an opportunity to look again at some aspects of the proposed strategy, especially in light of changing national guidance and expectations about housing numbers across the country.

“We’re confident that we have addressed the issues raised and have a robust position for when the review process re-starts. We’re looking forward to continuing.”