Residents in Skipton and the surrounding area are being invited to help shape plans for new homes, jobs and infrastructure across North Yorkshire over the next 20 years.
North Yorkshire Council has launched a six-week public consultation on its first county-wide Local Plan, which will guide future development across the area until 2045.
The plan will help determine where new housing, employment sites and supporting infrastructure should be built, while also protecting important landscapes, heritage sites and the environment.
It will replace the existing local plans covering the former district council areas, including Craven, bringing planning policies together under one county-wide strategy.
The consultation, which opened today (Monday 26th October), is asking residents, businesses and community groups what they think the plan should include and how they would like to be involved in its development.
At this early stage, the council is not consulting on specific housing sites, but is seeking views on the issues that should shape future planning decisions.
North Yorkshire Council's deputy leader, Councillor Mark Crane, said:
“The local plan will play a crucial role in setting out where we feel planned, coordinated and sustainable development should take place across North Yorkshire for years to come.
“It will influence where new homes, jobs and services are located, how we protect our environment, support our economy and create thriving, sustainable communities.
“We are at an early stage in preparing the plan, and this consultation provides an important opportunity for people to tell us what issues they think it should address and how they would like to be involved as it progresses.
“We want to hear from as many people as possible because their views will help shape the plan and ensure it reflects the needs and aspirations of communities across North Yorkshire.”
The consultation is the first of three formal opportunities for the public to influence the plan before it is adopted.
The council previously gathered feedback from residents and organisations during a consultation in 2025, but has had to restart the formal process following changes to the Government's national planning system.
Officials say the feedback already received will still be used to help shape the new plan.
The latest consultation will run until Monday 7th December, after which the council will publish a summary of the responses.
The first formal review stage is expected in April 2027, with the council aiming to adopt the completed Local Plan by the end of 2029.
Residents can find out more and take part in the consultation at www.northyorks.gov.uk/localplan.
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