Local Plan ‘will affect everyone in Craven’

Without a clear, well thought out and constructed plan we could wake up to the ‘diggers’ further eroding our treasured and important landscape with unnecessary market value homes gobbling up acres of agricultural fields.

Without a clear Local Plan, we could still have a shortage of those affordable homes that are needed.

Many decisions by planners are based on the ‘post-it’ notes used in local meetings last year. It is our opinion that this is neither a quantitative or a qualitative method of data collection.

Our research shows that few Craven residents are aware of the recent consultation and, perhaps more importantly, of just what the Local Plan means to them.

l What is wrong with the current draft plan?

It’s woolly.

It says what but fails to say how exactly.

It’s reads like a fairy story.

It downgrades the Craven area.

It could apply to any urban area in England.

It lacks a language of commitment and responsibility.

The vague policies undermine the stated aims.

It’s full of should, would and may be and therefore open to interpretation.

l What does it lack?

Clear recognition of ‘phasing’ - allowing the impact of any one development to be studied before embarking on others.

Lack of acknowledgement and value of windfall development.

It does not factor in the hundreds of existing permissions granted in the Craven area already.

It does not recognise the value of sustainable farming and Craven’s outstanding grazing land.

No protection for landscapes - we were once an area of Great Value, then it became a Special Landscape and now… no status whatsoever.

No clear recognition and protection for biodiversity, tranquillity, or heritage. There is no heritage map clearly identifying Conservation areas and assets.

We have no defined green belt in Craven. We do have green wedge, now illustrated by a vague wiggly line open to misinterpretation.

We need to defend our Craven against a developer’s dream. At the ‘stakeholders’ meeting, organised by CDC, we were told neighbourhood plans were expensive, require professional advice and were unnecessary as protection would given from the local plan. However, the draft plan places great emphasis on the importance of neighbourhood plans. Which is it to be?

l What needs to be done?

The Local Plan must be rewritten to deliver a sound, Craven specific plan designed to promote a healthy, living countryside with vibrant and valued rural communities encouraging young families to stay in the countryside. We can protect our assets and deliver the affordable housing that is needed.

Our aim at CPRE Craven is to ensure that the countryside, market towns and villages of Craven are given protection, are enabled to thrive, and are cherished to ensure that the rural character of craven survives.

Jill Wilson Local Plan member CPRE Craven - a campaigning district of the Campaign to Protect Rural England cprecraven@me.com School site query Sir - I’m sorry for the people losing their jobs at Malsis School in Glusburn, but it does seem like another example of the council and planning department getting things so wrong.

Outline planning permission has been given for houses to be built in the grounds of the Grade II Listed Building, against the council’s own policies, to save the school, which is in urgent need of £400,000-worth of repairs.

Malsis governors were variously reported as saying the money would secure the future, would improve facilities to the benefit of the community, and was ‘crucial’ to the next five years, and that this justified the two development sites within the grounds.

Surely anyone with the most basic grasp of maths could see that a school housed in the old listed building with over 50 staff and a school role of just 92 was in no way a viable proposition.

So now no school, no jobs, but I wonder if we will still get the 46 houses and the extra pressure on local services that these would bring.

Geoff Holmes Binns Lane Glusburn Please pick it up Sir - Carleton-in-Craven is a lovely little village - friendly-great neighbours, has a village shop, wonderful helpful chemist, post office and an informative monthly newsletter.

But its country lanes, grass verges and some footpaths are being spoilt and are a health-hazard to people - and other dogs - by some lazy, thoughtless and irresponsible people who won’t stoop so low to pick up and dispose of their dog’s poo.

I love dogs, but my son’s fit Dalmatian dog - staying here recently - was ill for four days, and other dogs in the village have recently been vomiting badly, vets say most likely caused by eating up others dogs’ messes.

So, dog owners everywhere, please - bend down and pick up.

Dorothy Clough Carleton Skipton Moving exhibition Sir - Myself being of Gargrave roots on my mother’s side, I had a look in the Old Gargravian heritage exhibition at St Andrew’s Church and heartily commend all who have helped to put together such a splendid, interesting and - regarding some graphic accounts of Gargrave men who lost their lives in the First World War - deeply moving presentation.

Well worth a visit, indeed reminding one that Gargrave - besides its ongoing organisations of today - once also housed both men’s and ladies’ hockey teams, a rugby team, an athletics club including a track, and a team of handbell ringers.

Thus a call at the exhibition might well inspire some Gargrave residents - hitherto abstaining - to involve themselves in some area of village community life in future years.

Roger Ingham Aldersley Avenue Skipton