CALLS for electric car charging points to be included as a requirement in the Craven Local Plan were made by a councillor.

Cllr Andy Brown pressed for installation of charging points to be included in any significant new housing developments at the special full council meeting before Christmas to sign the plan off before it went out for six weeks consultation.

It would be easy to include charging points on the ground floors of developments of more than five homes, he said, and would recognise the growth in the use of electric cars.

But, after being told it could delay the plan's progress, which in its current form has taken five years, he agreed to withdraw his proposed amendment until an expected plan review in five years time.

His proposal did however receive support from many members, including council leader, Cllr Richard Foster.

Cllr Foster said he completely agreed, but that adding a specific amendment at this point in the plan could hold it up. A better way to include it would be to add it as a supplementary planning guidance, and in the meantime officers would make sure such charging points were included in significant developments.

And Sian Watson, the council's strategic planning manager, said it was currently good practice for authorities to review local plans every five years, but it may become a requirement.

Cllr Brown, the only Green Party member on Craven District Council, also commented on the unfairness of developers with 'expensive lawyers' to make changes to the local plan, when Craven residents did not have that advantage.

The local plan is now out for six weeks 'representation' until February 13, providing an opportunity for people to make representations on whether it is sound and meets the tests set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Following consultation in June and July last year, there were more than 900 comments made by around 230 people. It followed a number of earlier workshops, drop-in events and consultations which have been taking place since 2012.

Changes to the plan include the allocation of land to the north of Airedale Avenue and Elsey Croft and east of the railway line in Skipton, for a new primary school.

Also proposed is a new climate change policy, a policy on specialist housing for older people, and small changes to housing numbers in Settle and Bentham following the closure of Rathmell primary school.

There are also a number of changes to housing site allocations in Skipton, Settle and Bentham, and the area around Skipton Woods is proposed to be designated as Local Green Space.

The plan provides for 4,600 net new dwellings from 2012 to 2032 - a net annual average of 230 dwellings per year, including all that have been built or given planning permission since 2012.

Developers will now have to provide at least 30 per cent affordable housing, instead of the original 40 per cent.

After the six week representation, the council will prepare a summary of the main issues raised which will then be submitted with the plan for examination by a government-appointed inspector. At the 'Examination in Public' the inspector will examine the plan, the evidence supporting it and representations received and judge whether it is sound and meets its legal requirements before it can be formally adopted. a process that is likely to take several months.