I'M concerned that your Local Democracy Reporter seems to have missed the point during the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Planning Committee meeting (New homes for Dales village, Craven Herald, June 18).

It was made clear numerous times during the debate that members were raising concerns about national planning policy, which prevents local planning authorities from requiring an element of affordable housing on sites for 10 houses or fewer.

Nonetheless, we remain optimistic that the developers will choose to include affordable housing in their scheme in Austwick – or make a significant financial contribution towards affordable housing elsewhere in the area.

Jim Munday,

Member Champion for Development Management, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

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