CRAVEN schools under pressure from new housing developments are losing out on potential funding, says a South Craven councillor.

Cllr Philip Barrett (Ind) claims the lack of a specific planning policy at Craven District Council means the authority cannot insist on a contribution from builders of large scale developments towards education provision.

And he says Craven is the only planning authority in North Yorkshire to lack such a specific policy.

Craven District Council says it is now putting together a policy of education provision, but as part of the local plan, which will not be formally adopted until late next year at the earliest.

Cllr Barrett said he had raised the issue with both county council and district council officers.

"I’m aware there have been discussions between them and that there is a difference in opinion between the two councils as to whether this developer funding can be requested without a policy being in place, however there doesn’t appear to be any sign of this matter being resolved soon." he said.

"With Craven being the planning authority it needs the political leadership to take the lead and ensure a way forward is found for the benefit of our local schools."

He feared however, that the situation was not helped by 'additional pressures' on officers to complete the Craven Local Plan, which has recently been put back until towards the end of next year.

A spokesman for Craven District Council said: “The strategic policy framework for supporting requests for contributions towards education provision was previously provided by the County Structure Plan and the Regional Spatial Strategy , but these have been superseded by the new planning regime introduced by government to prepare Local Development Plans.

“While the council does still request education contributions from developers, it is not able to sustain refusals of planning applications if a contribution from the developer is not forthcoming, without a sound, robust and evidenced policy as part of a Local Plan that has been independently examined and formally adopted by the council."

The spokesman added: "The council is drawing up a draft policy in consultation with North Yorkshire County Council which will be consulted on in the new year as part of a revised draft of the local plan, which is due to be independently examined and adopted next year.

“As part of this work we will be undertaking viability testing of the local plan proposals regarding the provision of infrastructure required to support development including education, affordable housing, transport infrastructure and open space provision. This evidence will underpin the development of a robust and sound plan which will enable us to get the best out of developments for the district.”