The North York Moors Local Plan, which is now open for public consultation, is proposing a planning strategy to decrease the number or holiday lets and part-time homes in favour of houses for “principal residents” and to encourage more glamping units.
Once approved, the Local Plan will set planning policy in the area for the next 15 years and is calling for a move away from static caravans in the National Park’s 554 sq miles, in favour glamping accommodation, tents and chalets on “small scale and sensitively designed and located” developments. The local authority says nearly three-quarters of caravans and chalets within the park are being used as main homes, second homes or holiday rentals for “prolonged periods of residence” and proposes a ban on developments that would remove any more facilities.
As reported in the Yorkshire Post, Chris France, director of planning at the National Park Authority, said: “As the consultation begins, the main issue we are expecting to debate is whether we’ve got that balance right between protecting a national asset and allowing people to live and work in it,” he said.
“The North York Moors is very much about large landowners and big estates who have a lot of economic input into the park, and we know some of those estates are saying that we haven’t got it right. They still want more flexible policies on tourism and on housing provision. But we think we’ve listened to their concerns early on in the process.”
