Achieving Sustainable Communities in the Lower Wensleydale Area

A Local Development Framework Issues and Options Consultation Paper

November 2009

Foreword

What will your town or village be like by 2026? 5. Scale and Distribution of Development It’s not an easy question, but it is one that we need to try and answer with your help. 6. Economy Richmondshire’s Local Development framework 7. Environmental Assets (LDF) will help shape future development across all parts of the District outside of the National 8. Housing Park. This includes Richmond, Leyburn, Catterick Garrison and the villages to the north and south. 9. Infrastructure The National Park Authority is responsible for development in the rest of Richmondshire. 10. Climate Change

The LDF will be a set of policy documents that Each report asks a series of questions about shape an overall direction for development in issues we need to debate. For example, how these places. These policies will help determine should we treat small villages in terms of future planning applications for, amongst other development? Or how should Richmond and things, housing, economic or green energy Catterick Garrison grow? You can make detailed developments, once the LDF is adopted. Before responses to any of the questions using the on- we can write these policies we must understand line form on our website or by writing to us using local conditions. We need to find out about the contacts below. Or simply get in touch with where people live and work and how they travel. us to talk about the LDF. We also need to recognise the sensitivity of the local environment and our local heritage to Please ask if you would like this document in a development. different format or language.

This consultation report is one in a series of ten: John Hiles 01748 827025, Emma Lundberg 01748 827026 1. Achieving Sustainable Communities - Settlement Hierarchy Email: [email protected]

2. Achieving Sustainable Communities in the Write LDF, Richmondshire District Council, Central Area Swale House, Frenchgate, Richmond, DL10 4JE

3. Achieving Sustainable Communities in Lower Richmondshire District Council Website: Wensleydale www.richmondshire.gov.uk

4. Achieving Sustainable Communities in the A66 North Richmondshire Area.

Richmondshire Local Development Framework i i Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Key Features of the Lower Wensleydale Area 2

3. Influences 4

4. Area wide issues of the Lower Wensleydale Area 7 Settlement hierarchy 9

5. Leyburn the Local Service Centre 9

6. Service Settlements 22

7. Small Settlements 22

8. Lower Wensleydale in the wider context 22

ii Richmondshire Local Development Framework 1. Introduction

1.1 This consultation paper is one of a series. population, fundamental decisions need to It aims to look in greater detail at the be made to determine how this area and Lower Wensleydale area to guide decisions the settlements in this area will feel, appear about where services and facilities are and function into the future. located and where development can best be delivered to ensure the most 1.4 This paper outlines our current sustainable future for local communities. understanding of the area as based on available evidence and consultation and 1.2 As outlined in the Achieving Sustainable poses a series of questions about places Communities in Richmondshire paper - the within the area. It is primarily concerned first in the consultation paper series, this with the: area focuses on Lower Wensleydale with Leyburn at its centre and extending to future of the Lower Wensleydale area as include settlements in the west to the a whole National Park boundary and in the east to means of securing the future the district boundary. sustainability of Leyburn need to balance the expectations of 1.3 This is an important rural area of different settlements Richmondshire with distinctive and high role of this area in support of the quality landscape. Although it has a small National Park area

Richmondshire Local Development Framework 1 2. Key Features of the Lower Wensleydale Area

2.1 Lower Wensleydale is an attractive rural ageing population and the lowest area rich in environmental and historic household income in the District may heritage neighbouring the Yorkshire Dales impede the longer term vitality of this area. National Park. It has a strong local identity Although the area is well located for focussed on the Local Service Centre at tourism, research indicates that the Leyburn. Historically this area has provided majority of tourists are day visitors. the gateway for travellers heading west over the dales, with Middleham and Bolton 2.5 Local employment is closely related to castles a reminder of its historic supplying the needs of this rural area. significance. It is also an agricultural area Agriculture and land based businesses are with a strong horse racing tradition. numerous and Leyburn supports a number of light industrial businesses. The horse 2.2 Its main settlements are Leyburn and racing industry is prominent in this area Middleham, which provide a central focus and is estimated to contribute an for several smaller villages. Leyburn is the additional £3.1M into the local economy Local Service Centre serving a local from an annual turnover of the stables of resident population of around 6,600 £12.7M. (Lower Wensleydale Study 2009) people, of which 2,120 live in the town. Its position has produced a market town 2.6 The Plan our Future survey for the Lower serving the local agricultural economy and Wensleydale Area collected information a stop for travellers on the route across the from over 500 local people in spring northern Pennines. This traditional role has 2009. Their responses reflect the remoter evolved into a visitor gateway to rural aspect of Lower Wensleydale and the Wensleydale and neighbouring dales. limited capacity of local centres to fully meet a range of needs. The main deficits 2.3 Leyburn sits at a crossroads and operates were retail, health care and leisure. Results as a hub for public transport in this area. suggest that this area faces more strongly Access to the area may be improved as the to the south of the county, towards the Vale A1 is upgraded and the Wensleydale of York, rather than the Tees Valley. A Railway progresses towards Northallerton. range of quality of life issues is identified Its connections favour east west travel by respondents including traffic and waste. along Wensleydale towards the Vale of Affordable housing is highlighted as a York. The reinstatement of the Wensleydale strategic issue by nearly half the railway is providing an alternative to car respondents, but they recognise that the transport locally, and this may extend to scope for resolving this is limited because the national network. of local constraints to development.

2.4 Its rural attractiveness sustains a strong housing market that creates affordability issues and limits available workforce. An

2 Richmondshire Local Development Framework 2.7 Our understanding of the Lower This study covers a wide range of issues. Wensleydale area will be enhanced with The spatial issues arising from it will be publication of detailed research in addressed in developing the LDF. Links to November 2009. The Lower Wensleydale the published reports will be made on the study aims to: LDF website when they become available.

provide robust plans which clearly map the future direction of the area in order Issue LW1 : The Central Area to attain sustainable prosperity in the region for the economy, society and the LW1a environment, and Does the description above pick up the empower a group of individuals to essential features of the area? become the driving force to the implementation of the action plans, LW1b improving the sustainable performance of Does Lower Wensleydale represent an the area’s primary settlements. Community area with a separate character and empowerment is an important aspect of identity, which should be reflected in the this study and the methodology LDF strategy? undertaken has reflected this.

Richmondshire Local Development Framework 3 3. Influences

3.1 The following documents outline a set of There has been a diversification of the general principles for our discussion about local economy to one based on small Lower Wensleydale: scale local enterprises. Housing provision has focussed on Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) meeting local affordable needs. Richmondshire Sustainable Community The long term sustainability of local Strategy (SCS) communities has been enhanced by Richmondshire District Council establishing links and networks within Corporate Plan the sub area and neighbouring sub areas to facilitate complementary 3.2 The RSS defines Lower Wensleydale as a economic diversification and remoter rural area. It creates a framework accessibility to opportunities and for valuing and enhancing the high quality facilities. environment in this area with Leyburn as (Policy RR1) the Local Service Centre linked to opportunities and facilities in neighbouring 3.3 The current Richmondshire Sustainable areas. The outcomes it expects for Lower Community Strategy sees Leyburn as the hub Wensleydale are: for the Lower Wensleydale area. The Lower Wensleydale area has been identified in the Its outstanding environmental and built Richmondshire District Council Corporate assets have been safeguarded and Plan as a discrete area for the organisation enhanced through a conservation-led of council services and strategy. approach.

4 Richmondshire Local Development Framework 4. Area wide issues for Lower Wensleydale

4.1 A set of issues has been identified, following on from the key features outlined Issue LW2 : Area wide issues in section 2, and the influences described in section 3. The area wide issues are LW2a outlined below and the settlement specific Do the issues in para 4.2 pick up the issues are looked at in the next section. main challenges for the area?

4.2 The rural aspects of the Lower Wensleydale LW2b area bring with it a range of issues familiar What other issues should be considered in Richmondshire. At the heart of these and what is the evidence for these issues is the need to balance a high quality issues? living environment with the need to meet local needs in a fairly sparely populated area. The following are suggested to be the main spatial issues which the LDF Should further local employment opportunities be provided in this area? should address: What do the horse racing and other How can access to facilities and economic sectors need to help sustain opportunities across this area and to them? neighbouring areas be improved? What links need to develop within Lower Settlement hierarchy Wensleydale and with its neighbouring areas to facilitate complementary 4.3 The settlement hierarchy proposed in the economic diversification? Sustainable Communities in Richmondshire How does this area support the Paper may help us address these issues by economy and communities in the providing a framework to consider how National Park? local communities function and interact Can this area’s strong housing market with each other to meet local needs. It is be better balanced to enable more important that we debate the implications people the choice to live and work here, of this hierarchy. This is started below, though a better mix of housing in terms together with options that have been of type and tenure? considered in developing it.

Settlement Population Settlement Population Leyburn 2,120 Preston Under Scar 180 Middleham 870 Spennithorne 180 Newton-Le-Willows 430 Constable Burton 160 Harmby 390 Finghall 150 Bellerby 360 Wensley 100 Redmire 350 Barden 50 East Witton 240 East Hauxwell 30 Thornton Steward 200 Garriston 30 Patrick Brompton 180 West Hauxwell 20

Richmondshire Local Development Framework 5 5. Leyburn, the Local Service Centre

5.1 Leyburn has been identified as the Local the context of its environment and Service Centre for lower Wensleydale in neighbouring centres? both the Regional Spatial Strategy and the Sustainable Communities Strategy. This 5.3 The map below shows Leyburn in its local recognises its central role in meeting a context. We need to consider the main range of local services to this part of the constraints and the potential directions which District. The extent to which it can continue might be considered for possible development. to maintain this role is affected by several factors, which are similar to those outlined Issue LW3 : Area wide issues in paragraph 4.2 LW3a How can Leyburn be supported to How well does Leyburn fulfil its potential continue to provide a range of necessary as a Local Service Centre? local services? How can it become more accessible to LW3b the area it serves and provide effective How can Leyburn be supported in the future to better perform this role? links to the neighbouring principal town? How can younger households become LW3c established in the local area? Can Leyburn have a complementary Can Leyburn also expect to develop in a role to the Garrison in the provision of complementary to the proposed local services and facilities? Garrison Town Centre, in the same way as Richmond? LW3d What is Leyburn’s capacity for expansion Referring to the map below, what scope and to what extent should it develop in is there for Leyburn to physically grow through new development?

6 Richmondshire Local Development Framework 6. Service Settlements

6.1 The Achieving Sustainable Communities in 6.3 Service Settlements are proposed to be Richmondshire paper poses the question of identified because they offer a range of what should determine service villages and basic services that are accessible from a the approach taken. It outlines that the small hinterland. They complement the selection of appropriate Service higher order centres and help distribute Settlements is a matter for debate, and services over a wider area, which is views are sought both on the principle, particularly important in a rural area like and on potential candidate settlements. It ours. It is important that the choices we suggests that selection of a Service make, both in selecting Service Settlements Settlement might be based on a number of and helping to sustain them, ensure that considerations, including: they progress within the overall context of the District and their neighbours. For the availability of a good range of example, to what extent can housing need community facilities and services, for and choice be realistically met in each example a primary school, food shop, Service Settlement? The answer to this will community hall and sport and depend on the character of each village, recreation facilities the availability of appropriate sites and their spread throughout the sub-area access to relevant services like schools and aiming to ensure that all the sub-area is work. It could be that some of these within good reach of services choices can be better met in larger centres. good public transport access to higher order settlements (including outside the District), including in the early morning Issue LW4 : Service Settlement and late afternoon LW4a potential for some further development Does Middleham best fulfil the role of a and local support for such growth Service Settlement in Lower Wensleydale availability of local employment. - as a place to support the retention and enhancement of facilities capable 6.2 The size, location of existing services in this of serving a wider neighbourhood? area suggests that Middleham is a leading candidate for Service Settlement LW4b designation. The next largest villages are Should any other settlements be ? Newton le Willows, Harmby, Bellerby, and considered as Service Settlements Redmire. They are much smaller with LW4c populations in the range 430 to 350. What should be the general approach None have a primary school and each towards designated Service Settlements have only minimal services. Apart from in terms of the provision of facilities or Redmire, they are close to the Local scale of new development? Service Centre of Leyburn.

Richmondshire Local Development Framework 7 7. Small Settlements

7.1 In the Service Settlement discussion we have thought about the case for making Issue LW5 : Small Settlements one or more of the larger villages a focus LW5a for the provision of very local services and Should all the small villages be treated potentially some development. So what of equally - or is there an argument to the remaining settlements in Lower separate out some, for example with Wensleydale? We know, from the some facilities, better accessibility, or Settlement Facilities study that they have greater potential - as a separate tier in few facilities and are mainly places to live the hierarchy, for which a distinct policy ? with a level of local economic activity in, approach might be taken for example, agriculture. These settlements LW5b are not very isolated and the people living Should we group some of the smaller in them will access services in the larger settlements into geographical clusters centres. and develop a policy approach for each cluster? 7.2 The presence of a primary school may create a more clustered community LW5c through its catchment area. In Lower What should be the general approach Wensleydale the only primary school towards the lowest order settlements - in terms of provision of facilities or new outside of Leyburn is at Spennithorne. Is development? there an approach we can take that has a realistic possibility of creating sustainable LW5d change amongst the villages surrounding Is it sustainable to continue to allow this school? One answer may be to treat development in these locations, where them as a cluster for development access to facilities locally or by travel to ? purposes. In terms of general development other settlements, is limited policy this would mean allocating an LW5e amount of development across the villages Would allowing some limited in the cluster, but detailed allocations development in these settlements make would need further work to determine what them more sustainable - eg. by making was feasible on the land available within some facilities more viable - or would each village of the cluster. the scale of development be unlikely to make this realistic?

8 Richmondshire Local Development Framework 8. Lower Wensleydale in the wider context

8.1 This paper has concentrated on Lower 8.2 Is it realistic to expect solutions to all of the Wensleydale and setting out its settlements issues we have been looking at to be in an order that reflects the extent to which solved within the area? For example they can meet local needs and how they secondary health care services are located relate to each other. But Lower outside of the area, as are major retail and Wensleydale is not an island and we now leisure opportunities. Given what we know have to return to the overall strategic and expect for this area, how should we context of the District in the LDF. The map expect these needs to be met? below summarises the debate so far.

Richmondshire Local Development Framework 9 8.3 We can only begin to look at this question now and will need to come back to it when Issue LW6: Strategic Options we have also debated the Central and A66 LW6a areas. But at this stage it is reasonable to To what extent can Lower Wensleydale ask, in general terms, about the general area change to meet local needs in the pattern of growth expected across the three future? sub areas covered by the Richmondshire LDF. This will be influenced by internal LW6b pressures, like the potential for military To what extent could these needs be met outside of this area? related growth at Catterick Garrison and external pressures from neighbours. LW6c Possible answers to these questions are What is the most sustainable balance of developed in the consultation paper on the development between Lower Scale and Distribution of Development. Wensleydale and the rest of the District - in terms of the three Sub Areas and the levels of the hierarchy?

See the paper on the Scale and Distribution of Development for a detailed look at these issues.

10 Richmondshire Local Development Framework

Richmondshire District Council Swale House, Frenchgate, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4JE Tel: 01748 829100 Fax: 01748 825071 Email: [email protected]