The ‘first conversation’ on future land use and development in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Council are in the process of creating the first area wide plan which will set out the vision and strategy for future development, and the local planning policies which will guide local decision making on what can be developed and where and how land will be used, over the next 15-20 years.

They have launched a ‘conversation’, also known as an ‘issues and options’ consultation to seek views from residents, businesses, and landowners as to how development can help address some of the issues faced by North Yorkshire, and what type of development should be permitted and where, to meet the needs of the area.

'Issues and Options' consultation - a short window of opportunity

This is an important milestone in the creation of a new local plan for North Yorkshire, and it is open to anyone to submit their views.

The Council have published a comprehensive consultation document that sets out the thinking on the issues that need to be addressed through development and land use, and the options for meeting the region’s needs in areas such as housing, infrastructure and transport.

Eleven objectives have been proposed, covering themes including housing, climate change, natural landscapes, heritage, transport, infrastructure and sustainable economic growth, with questions posed as to how the local plan can address these areas.

To view the consultation document, visit the North Yorkshire Council website here.

How to get involved

There are two important opportunities for land and business owners and residents relating to this consultation:

1. Have your voice heard

Submit comments and ensure your views are heard to influence future policy on what development will be allowed and where, and on matters such as the distribution of housing development, the reuse and redevelopment of farm buildings to create homes and businesses, land use, energy and infrastructure.

There is the opportunity to put forward representations for the inclusion of policy on specific issues such as the spatial distribution of development, estate led development proposals, the re-use of buildings, and farm diversification.

Representations can be submitted by individuals directly, or alternatively we can make evidenced submissions on behalf of individuals or groups of landowners.

Rural Solutions have successfully presented evidence to similar local plan consultations across the country which have led to the inclusion of specific policy measures designed to enable sustainable rural economic development, most recently in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

If you would like to discuss how we can represent your views, please get in touch.

2. Promote and propose possible development sites

The Council opened a ‘call for sites’ request last year whereby sites with the potential for development were submitted for consideration. The sites submitted to date can be viewed here.

With a large volume of sites submitted, and rural sites needing to work harder to establish their suitability, it’s important to ensure that sites are promoted properly to ensure that the case is clearly set out for the sustainability of the proposed.

As well as sites already submitted, the opportunity remains for the duration of the Issues and Options consultation, for the submission of new sites. Landowners, developers and land promoters are invited to submit sites for consideration for a range of development types.

The Council will then consider the submissions and allocate suitable land and sites for different development types over the life of the plan. That land will then need to be brought forward for planning permission to secure consent to develop.

The consultation is open from Monday 19th May 2025 until Tuesday 15th July 2025.

Need help submitting a site?

If you would like to discuss how we promote or prepare your site for submission, please get in touch by emailing info@ruralsolutions.co.uk or call the team on 01756 797501.