Hundreds of new homes could be built in the Yorkshire Dales

Possible sites have also been identified by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Long Preston, Airton, Austwick and Bolton Abbey. It is now carrying out a consultation on the proposed sites totalling 600 houses across the whole national park - and is urging people to have their say before the deadline of May 12.

Carl Lis, member champion for sustainable development for the authority, said it was a 'big moment' for the national park - which has frequently said it needs more 'permanently occupied' homes instead of holiday cottages; but he stressed the sites were out to consultation and none were a 'done deal'. 

In 2021, a call for housing development sites, prompted by a need for more permanently occupied homes in the national park, resulted in more than 100 sites being put forward. Initial checks reduced the list to 33 sites with possible developments of between five to 100 homes.

Most are in the national park's largest settlements of Grassington/Threshfield, Embsay, Sedbergh and Hawes.

Mr Lis said: “During the time that we’ve been working up a new local plan it has become clear that we need more people in permanently occupied homes in the national park. New house building is part of the approach that will help sustain local communities and it is our role as the planning authority to make sure those new homes are built in suitable locations.

“Action on housing - particularly affordable housing - is vital for the long term viability of local communities in the national park as it faces a significant population challenges that risks reducing demand for local services."

He added: “Allocating a site for housing development means that planning permission for housing will be granted subject to plans meeting policies on design, affordability and such like. So this is a big moment. I want to stress that this is a consultation, not a done deal and I would urge people to share their views with us on the suitability of each of the 33 potential sites.”

Allocating housing development sites is part of the process of creating a new local plan for the national park. The plan will contain a set of planning policies that will shape development up to 2040.

Currently, there are already planning permissions for around 330 new dwellings that have yet to be developed. If the proposed sites are allocated, the requirement for 850 new homes in the national park by 2040 could be met, says the authority.

Additional housing will also be able to be built on smaller plots of land within housing development boundaries. Maps showing draft development boundaries have been published and form part of the public consultation.

The sites in Craven:

Airton: Land at Hallgarth, five houses.

Austwick: Land at Pant Lane, eight houses.

Bolton Abbey: Land west of Mitford Cottages- six houses Embsay: Land north of Brackenley Lane and Dales Avenue, Embsay -100 houses; land south of 53 Brackenley Lane - 19 houses.

Grassington: Land north of Wharfe View - eight houses; land south east of Aynham Close - 35 houses; Land west of Garrs End Lane - 10 houses; Land north of Moody Sty Lane - 20 houses.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale: Land between Hillside and recreation ground, Station Road - 18 houses; Land west of B6479 opposite Rowe Garth - 10 houses.

Long Preston: Land rear of Moorfields and Guy's Cottages - 16 houses; land between 36 and 38 Main Street - eight houses.

Threshfield: Land east of Wharfeside Avenue - 16 houses; land rear of Manor House Farm and Village Institute -10 houses; Land north of Upper Wharefdale School, Wharfeside Avenue -100 houses.

All the documents can be viewed at: https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/park-authority/living-and-working/planning-policy/local-plan-2023-40/consultation-no-6-land-for-housing-development/

The public consultation will close on Friday, May 12. Representations can be emailed to: localplan@yorkshiredales.org.uk; or by post to: Planning Policy, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Yoredale, Bainbridge, Leyburn, DL8 3EL.