RESIDENTS of the Yorkshire Dales National Park are being asked for their thoughts on development proposals for the next 20 years.

More than 15,000 households in the national park, including parts of Craven, have received a survey in the twice yearly ‘Dales’ paper outlining the aims of the new local plan and inviting people to help shape its policies.

Carl Lis, chairman of the park authority, said: “It is fair to say we didn’t think we’d be here again so soon, but this is a big moment for the national park. The new local plan will lead and promote development across the whole park from 2023 to 2040. We are asking local people to lay the foundations for it.”

He added: “If you don’t like current planning rules, this is your chance to say so. If you’ve got ideas about how your area could be a better place to live in or do business in, this is your chance to air them. If you think you know the best place for new homes to be built, tell us. My promise is that every view will be taken into account. This is a once-in-every-ten-year opportunity for local people to shape the development of their villages or towns.”

Mr Lis said the authority also wanted to hear from younger people who wanted to live in the Dales so that the national park and district councils could try and tackle the barriers stopping them from moving to the area.

“The studies on population, housing and socioeconomic trends very clearly illustrate that to sustain communities and the economy, we must attract people from outside the Park to come to live here.”

The local plan survey is available on the national park website and at the park offices in Grassington.

Deadline for comments is February 14.