A total of 23 'preferred' sites are being put forward for the building of about 370 homes, as people have been asked to have their say in a consultation on the locations identified.

The public consultation, which started on Monday (September 16), discusses potential housing development sites in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Officials say the 23 sites, when taken with existing planning permissions for dwellings that have yet to be built, would significantly contribute to the target for 50 new homes every year in the National Park until 2040. 

Sites have been identified through the consultationSites have been identified through the consultation (Image: YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK) It is the second time the National Park Authority has consulted on housing sites as part of preparations for a new Local Plan. 

In March last year, 33 potential sites were identified for 600 homes. This list has now been refined, with some sites removed, some have been reduced in size and two new sites have been added.

This includes changes to sites in Grassington, Threshfield and Embsay, which were the subject of most comments during the last consultation.

Other sites identified include land in Hawes, Carperby, and Sedbergh, along with other locations in the Yorkshire Dales.

23 sites in North Yorkshire identified to build 370 homes:

  • Land at Hallgarth, Airton - 5  houses
  • Land west of Mitford Cottages, Bolton Abbey - 6 houses
  • Land at East End Farm, Carperby - 6 houses
  • Land south east of Aynham Close, Grassington - 25 houses
  • Land north of Moody Sty Lane, Grassington - 21 houses 
  • Land south and west of Woodburn, Burtersett Road, Hawes - 6 houses
  • Land south of Northgate House, Burtersett Road, Hawes - 16 houses
  • Land east of Northgate House, Burtersett Road, Hawes - 6 houses
  • Land at Kirkbrides Way, Hawes - 10 houses
  • Land west of B6479 opposite Rowe Garth, Horton-in-Ribblesdale - 11 houses
  • Land rear of Moorfields & Guy's Cottages, Long Preston - 12 houses 
  • Land between Nos 36 and 38 Main Street, Long Preston - 10 houses
  • Land opposite Fell View Garage, Nateby - 7 houses
  • Land west of Ash Dene, Newbiggin-on-Lune - 9 houses
  • Land at The Warehouse, Newbiggin-on-Lune - 7 houses
  • Land east of Ashfield Court, Orton - 8 houses 
  • Land south of Station Road and east of Busk Lane, Sedbergh - 25 houses
  •  Land at Kings Yard, Bainbridge Road, Sedbergh - 7 houses 
  • Land west of Guldrey Fold, Sedbergh - 25 houses
  • Land north of Medical Centre, Sedbergh - 12 houses
  • Land north of Upper Wharfedale School, Threshfield - 60 houses
  • Land north of the B6265, opposite Woodlands View, Threshfield - 15 houses
  • Land east of the B6160, Threshfield - 60 houses

The changes are a result of detailed work carried out by a group of authority Members. 

Richard Foster, Member Champion for Sustainable Development at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “It is abundantly clear from the evidence we have gathered that we need more affordable housing, and more permanently occupied homes, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. 

"That’s what we want our new Local Plan to deliver.  

“We must also conserve and enhance the nationally-important landscape of the National Park, and protect communities from unsustainable development.  

"We have listened and responded to many of the concerns people expressed in the consultation last year. 

"The further, detailed information provided by the councils, utility companies and others showed that some of the 33 sites were not suitable for development, and others needed to be refined to reduce the development footprint."

He added: “I would encourage all interested parties to respond to our latest Local Plan consultation. 

"These sites will deliver around 370 dwellings – and, crucially, many of these will be affordable housing. 

"When added to planning permissions that have already been granted, this will go a long way towards meeting the 750 target between now and 2040. 

“It has not been possible to get an even spread of sites across the National Park.

"There are fewer sites in the north because fewer options for development were put forward by landowners there. 

"Sites in the north also tend to be smaller because the constraints around landform, landscape and flood risk are greater.

"We will now be working closely with the Housing Authorities and Housing Associations to identify future ‘exception’ sites for affordable housing in the north of the National Park.

“We intend to publish a full draft Local Plan early next year.  It will contain not only housing development sites but a full suite of policies designed to shape development in the National Park.”

The consultation is open until Tuesday, October 29 here.