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Open Consultations

NYC Social Breaks Grants. Due to growing demand to support families ensuring that children can access activities and support, we want to know your views on how to proceed. Closing date 30^th June 2025.
Specialist care parent survey. Help us improve our adult specialist care policies and practices. We would like to hear your views about accessing specialist care support and services in North Yorkshire if you are a parent or carer who supports an adult with specialist support needs. Closing date 30^th June 2025.
Whitby Cliff Lift bus service consultation. Help us decide the future of the bus replacement service. Closing date 4^th August 2025.

See the NYC Consultations web page

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-engagement

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Agenda

Introduction & Updates

Open Consultations
Education
Whitby Harbour Court Case

NYC Local Plan consultation
AOB
Next Meeting

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Whitby Harbour: Past, Present … and ?Future?

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

Why did Fight4Whitby need to resort to legal action about the harbour?

Why did it take 10 years before the Judge issued his decision?

March 2025 – The Judge ruled totally in our favour

What is the short-term effect of the High Court Judgement?

Why the need to plan now for £Ms repairs to the piers and extensions?

- on what evidence?

- what repairs have been completed to date?

So why does F4W need to take further legal action?

After the Court Case: What are the future options and opportunities?

Past

Present

Future

….. And how may they affect future Local Plans?

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Why did we start legal action in 2016 ?

2015: SBC announced Whitby TIC would close in Sept 2016

Other methods of appeal to SBC were having no effect … maritime solicitors advised WUDC 1905 Act still applies to harbour

Jun 2016 Fight4Whitby formed to fund-raise for legal costs

Objection to SBC Accounts 2015/16 submitted to Auditor

Whitby Urban District Council Act 1905

WTC and WDTA objected…

…served 250,000 visitors/yr

Historic photos showed TIC built on land reclaimed from harbour….

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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Whitby Harbour – Why did we keep fighting for 10 yrs?

On-going issues:

..harbour repairs and maintenance….dredging…fishing industry facilities… ship building & repair….

But above all: Rising Sea-levels…More Extreme Weather….Future Flood Risks…

we found that the whole harbour needs £Ms of maintenance ….

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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Why did the Whitby Harbour Court Case take 10 years?

Objection lodged to SBC Accounts for 2015/16 – accepted Sept 2016
External Auditor issued first opinion Dec 2017 – ‘gagged’ thereafter …
Had to lodge objections every subsequent year - 2016/17, 2017/18 … etc

Eventually…

March 2022: Auditor issued Statutory Recommendation: SBC must apply for a Court Ruling

December 2022: SBC finally applied for Court Ruling

March 2024: Case hearing at High Court in London: Judge to decide:

what land is owned by the harbour undertaking?
should all income be ring-fenced for harbour use?
should all the assets and capital also be ring-fenced?

Main land area still under dispute = Dock End, Endeavour Wharf, Marina

Income from those public car parks in 2015/16 was £1.2M

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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Whitby Harbour Court Case … Judgement issued March 2025�� WE WON ON ALL COUNTS!

So How Much Will Need To Be Repaid by NYC

to the Whitby Harbour Reserves

... £10M?..... £15M?......£25M?

RIVER AND LAND OWNED BY HARBOUR UNDERTAKING

WUDC Act 1905 still applies to the harbour undertaking
All income from all land owned by the harbour must be ring-fenced for harbour use
All assets and capital (+ interest) must be ring-fenced
Can borrow to improve the harbour
Any shortfall in any year to be met from NYC funds

End April 2025 – NYC advised not proceeding to the Court of Appeal

We await the revised accounts….

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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So Why Do the Piers (incl. extensions) Need £Ms of Funding?

Consequences of Pier Failure (Royal Haskoning 2009) A breach or failure of the piers would probably require closure of the port because of fallen masonry and debris obstructing the narrow harbour entrance. The consequences of closure would include:

Risk to life: some 15-20 vessels take unscheduled refuge in Whitby harbour each year in storm conditions. The RNLI station would be unable to respond to emergencies at sea.
Risk to property: some 500 homes and businesses around the harbour would be at significantly increased risk of flooding from wave and tide action. These include two Grade 1 buildings; four Grade II* buildings; and over 200 Grade II listed buildings.

Plus, the impact on Tourism and the environment, as the Whitby Coastal Strategy 2 identified: “The loss of the harbour piers would adversely affect the geological SSSI and 2 conservation areas. There would be loss of tourism and amenity value which is irreplaceable due to the unique tourist appeal of key cultural assets and the iconic location of the Abbey and harbour setting.” (SBC 2011)

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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“In order to improve the condition and overtopping performance of these aged structures into the future a major capital investment is required.”

“If the structures receive no capital investment, they will continue to erode, collapse and disintegrate until only the ruins remain. This will expose the town and estuary to increase wave and tide conditions.”

Evidence? Based on Conclusions from Royal Haskoning Investigations 2008/9

Shoreline Mgt Plan 2 SBC/Env Agency adopted 2012 now part NE Marine Plan

Royal Haskoning Conclusions

NB Royal Haskoning identified that "The four components of the piers (East Main Pier, East Pier Extension, West Main Pier, and West Pier Extension) act as an integrated system.."

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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Whitby Harbour - What Actions Followed?�

Emergency repairs were carried out on the East Pier extension in 2011-12
£8M repairs were eventually carried out on the East & West Piers in 2017-18
Royal Haskoning advised need for major repairs to Pier Extensions by 2032 at latest

Subject to on-going maintenance / monitoring
Plus 5 yearly dive surveys of extensions
Bring repairs forward if necessary

BUT they also identified the need to use Endeavour Wharf as the works compound for HGV deliveries and storage of construction equipment and materials – to be shipped out to the worksites on the piers/extensions by vessels moored alongside. Plus H&S need for rapid evacuation of workforce, equipment and materials when sea conditions change…

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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Before the Harbour Court Case was Decided..

Aug 2024: Planning Permission granted for Maritime Hub
Jan 2025: NYC gave the go-ahead to construct the Maritime Hub on the Endeavour Wharf “car park”
April 2025: Construction began on site ----------→

BUT

Despite:

The High Court ruling that the whole of Endeavour Wharf is a Registered Cargo Wharf
Only such wharf between the Tyne and Humber ports – potential refuge for cargo vessels in distress
NE Marine Plan Policy warns against development on existing op/non-operational Cargo Wharves
Harbour Revision Order is required before any registered port can restrict its Open Port Duty

The Maritime Hub would block use of the Wharf as the site compound for the essential future works to the Piers & Extensions

(As used in 2018/19 for repair works to the Main Piers)

Fight4Whitby is having to take legal action again….

But above all

HENCE

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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Whitby Harbour: Past, Present … and ?Future?

What makes Whitby so different?

Whitby and Scarborough are the only municipal harbours in N. Yorkshire

Whitby lies on the only tidal estuary in N Yorkshire

The Esk is the only salmonid river in North Yorkshire

? Potential Marine National Park to mirror the NYMNPA on land?

Only Exmoor & NYM Natl. Parks have a significant length of coastline

- Runswick Bay is already a Marine Protected Area

- Cleveland Way National Coastal Path

- REConnect 5yr Lottery-funded project River Esk source to sea

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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Whitby Harbour: Past, Present … and Future?

Double Devolution promised local control of local services and assets
Because of its location and surrounding National Park, Whitby harbour has a unique combination of constraints and potential opportunities
Whitby harbour was managed very successfully by local townsfolk for over 250 years … by a Board of Trustees between 1702 and 1904 and then by Whitby Urban District Council from 1905 until 1974. The WUDC Harbour Committee comprised local councillors and local stakeholders.

The DfT Good Governance Guidance for municipal harbours recommends establishing a Harbour Board comprising councillors and stakeholders.

The future management of Whitby harbour offers the best opportunity in 50 years to regain effective local control over the very heart of the town.

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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So What Future Options are Under Consideration by NYC?�

…has a very strong focus on offshore wind and tourism

But no mention of need to repair piers/extensions

cf Weymouth Harbour

What about local renewable energy generation using wave / tidal power?

Whitby Pier Power study … and Morlais…

What about improving the marine environment and near-shore fishing potential?

Whitby Kelp study … and Devon / Cornwall…

…And which options will celebrate, protect and sustain Whitby’s outstanding maritime heritage?

NYC Forward Plan for Harbours just published….

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

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cf Weymouth Harbour

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

No future development will be viable if we don’t carry out the essential wall repairs now.

Project to replace and strengthen the two main harbour walls

by constructing new sheet-piled walls immediately in front of the existing walls, to support the Peninsula.

Cost estimate = £10.5M Duration = 10-12 months

Funded by part of Levelling Up Grant of £19.5M from Govt. in 2023 plus funds from Dorset Council & Weymouth Harbour Authority

From Dorset Council website:

We have a duty to repair and replace 2 seawalls which support Weymouth Peninsula.

Recent inspections of the walls have show them to be in a 'very poor' condition and need to be replaced 'urgently' to avoid failure.

By carrying out the work now, the Peninsula will be structurally sound for a further 70 years.

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cf Tidal Power - Morlais

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

The Welsh Government has invested £8 million in the Morlais tidal energy project, set to be the largest tidal scheme in Europe.

Menter Môn, the social enterprise behind Morlais, is developing the site off the coast of Anglesey, with operations set to begin in 2026.

According to the Welsh government, once fully deployed, the project has the potential to supply power to up to 180,000 households. It offers a “plug and play” model designed to lower costs for tidal technology developers and accelerate commercial-scale deployment

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Whitby Harbour: Past, Present … and ?Future?

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

Why did Fight4Whitby need to resort to legal action about the harbour?

Why did it take 10 years before the Judge issued his decision?

March 2025 – The Judge ruled totally in our favour

What is the short-term effect of the High Court Judgement?

Why the need to plan now for £Ms repairs to the piers and extensions?

- on what evidence?

- what repairs have been completed to date?

So why does F4W need to take further legal action?

After the Court Case: What are the future options and opportunities?

Past

Present

Future

….. And how may they affect future Local Plans?

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? NYM National Park policies v future Local Plans for Whitby ?

What makes Whitby so different?

Whitby is the only town in England that is wholly surrounded on land by a National Park, but is not included within the Park.
One of very few towns in England classed as an urban settlement in a sparsely populated rural area (eg Berwick, Ilfracombe, Minehead, Mablethorpe, Penrith)

Nat. Park policies with significant impact on Whitby enclave include housing; roads; flood risks; environmental protection.

Historically, Whitby & District recognised as one community: Whitby Urban/Rural District Councils became SBC N. Area - which was assessed as 1 distinct Housing Market Area; 1 Travel-to-Work Area; and 1 School Catchment Area

Briefing for Whitby Community Network 23 June 2025

Future Plans for Whitby & District MUST involve both North Yorks Council and the National Park

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Local Plan : Proposal by Holiday Let to buy green space

Proposal by holiday let owner to buy green space land for parking / garden.
Challenged by WCN (and others). WCN quoted Local Plan rule “HC14” re: being below minimum standard for green space.
NYC backtracked on direct sale - now require planning permission before sale.
No planning application made in subsequent 2 months.

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NYC Local Plan : What Is It?

Key document through which the Local Planning Authority (NYC) can

set out a vision and framework for the future development of the area;
address needs and opportunities in relation to housing, the local economy, community facilities and infrastructure;
safeguard the environment, adapt to climate change and help secure high quality accessible design;
provide a degree of certainty for communities, businesses and investors, and a framework for guiding decisions on individual planning applications.

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NYC Local Plan : Where does it fit in?

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NYC Local Plan : Timetable

“Issues and Options” (Spring/Summer 2025).
“Preferred Options” (Autumn 2026).
Pre-submission of the Plan (Autumn 2027).
Submission of the Plan to UK Government (2028).
Examination of the Plan (2028-2029).
Adoption of the Plan (2029).

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NYC Local Plan : Objectives

Delivering sustainable growth;
Tackling climate change, flood risk & coastal change;
Creating healthy and sustainable communities;
Achieving natural environment resilience;
Meeting specific housing needs;
Creating a prosperous economy;
Creating resilient centres;
Ensuring sustainable transport and accessibility;
Securing infrastructure to support growth;
Achieving high quality design;
Safeguarding the historic environment.

Do we agree? Any others?

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NYC Local Plan : Geographic Scope

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NYC Local Plan : Local Impact

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“Housing & Economic Development Needs Assessment”

Needs of the area are defined in an Assessment Document (560 pages!).

Housing Market Areas : North Yorkshire divided into 10 “housing market areas” : Coastal, Harrogate, Malton+Norton, Northallerton+Thirsk, Richmond, Ripon, Selby, Skipton, NYM NP, Dales NP.
Coastal Housing Market Area - “House prices appear to be broadly equal [between Whitby and Scarborough / Filey]”! “There is also a migratory flow along the coast, suggesting they could be treated as a single area”. Whitby area situation differs markedly from Scarborough / Filey. Average Sold House Price : Scarb £206k, Whitby £265k. The primary flow along the coast from Whitby is northwards (not mentioned in the report).
Discounted Homes (e.g First Homes) : “There was no evidence of a need for First Homes or discounted market housing [and suggests shared ownership is needed]”. No evidence provided, yet the Whitby NP HNA decides the opposite, and at 50% discount.
Impact on Services : “There is no clear evidence that the level of second homes is causing [falling school numbers] in North Yorkshire”. There is in Whitby & district.

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“Housing & Economic Development Needs Assessment”

(continued).

Second Homes : “Sandsend (38%), and Whitby (20%)”. The Whitby number is a long way from the Whitby Neighbourhood Plan HNA figures of 35.5-44.5%.
Principal Residence : “A Principal Residence Policy is commonly applied [...] where around 20% of homes are used as second residences. This is because 20% is widely regarded as the threshold at which communities may become socially unviable. In the context of North Yorkshire this would only be applied to the Filey Old Town and beachfront area” (despite their report saying Whitby was 20% and Sandsend 38%).
Principal Residence Policy : “It is recommended that areas with second homes continue to be monitored through Council Tax data, to establish a more robust understanding of these rates. Further analysis will help inform the potential implementation of a Principal Residence Policy”. Any monitoring should be per parish, and should include second, holiday and empty homes.
Extra Care Homes : “Current coverage is across the county but there is a significant shortfall of provision in Harrogate”. Whitby has none currently.
Houses for Students : No mention of housing for all of the students at Maritime Hub ...

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1. Sustainable Growth – How much?

Target of 4116 homes/yr from UK Gov (current target ~1300 homes/yr). Any shortfall must be justified.

Local : Since 2014 (inc current planned developments) there have been ~1350 new dwellings in Whitby area (just large developments) with a small population decline!

How much development do we need to plan for (NYC area)?

Assessment Document identifies the need for the following over the Local Plan period

up to 8 hectares of land for office-based uses, and
around 340 hectares of land for the development of industrial and warehouse uses.

Local : There already is planning for 33 new units on business park.

Any views on the amount of new housing and employment land (for office, industrial and warehouse uses) we may need to plan for?

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1. Sustainable Growth – Where?

Development should happen

Meeting underlying local development needs - as far as possible, new homes and

employment opportunities provided where needed.

Reflecting and reinforcing the roles of settlements - growth prioritised in settlements that can provide services, are accessible and better able to be sustainable.
Addressing infrastructure constraints and opportunities – where infrastructure exists, or where it provides a new opportunity that will benefit the community.
Sustainable transport opportunities - locating development where it can readily access and benefit from existing / proposed sustainable transport infrastructure.
Environmental considerations - avoiding negative impact on nature conservation or environmental (e.g. areas at high risk of flooding).

Are there any other factors to consider when identifying potential growth locations?

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1. Sustainable Growth – Settlement Hierarchy

Major Town – Harrogate, Scarborough.
Key Service Centre – e.g Whitby
Local Service Centre – e.g Filey, Pickering
Neighbourhood Service Centre – e.g Sleights.
Small Settlement – e.g Cloughton.
Countryside – e.g Sandsend.

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1. Sustainable Growth – Growth Options

The options currently being considered to deliver growth in a sustainable manner are

Prioritising growth in / around main urban areas (Major Towns, Key Service Centres).
Achieving greater proportion of development in larger villages with a good range of supporting services / infrastructure.
Dispersing development across broader range of settlements, including smaller villages.
Growing locations that are well-served by existing/new quality sustainable transport links.
Developing entirely new settlements / communities.

Which of these do we prefer?
Are there any other growth options that should be considered?

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2. Climate & coastal change, flood risk - Mitigation

NYC working towards being carbon neutral by 2034 and carbon negative by 2040.

The Local Plan could help to mitigate climate change by:

reducing emissions from transport,
reducing emissions from new development,
identifying locations and/or policies for range of renewable energy technologies,
reducing emissions by retrofitting existing buildings (where planning permission is required),
supporting nature-based solutions for carbon capture, storage and carbon offsetting.

Local : A study for Pier Power (2010) using the pier extensions proved the feasibility.

Are there any other ways the Local Plan should help to mitigate climate change?
Are there any specific geographical areas in the Local Plan area that you feel are suitable for large scale, stand alone commercial renewable energy technologies to be located? Please state the area and types of renewable energy technologies that might be suitable.

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2. Climate & coastal change, flood risk - Adaptation

The local plan could help to adapt to climate change by:

building in sustainable design in new development.
locating new development in the lowest areas of flood risk and requiring sustainable draining systems.
avoiding inappropriate development in vulnerable coastal areas and not exacerbating the impacts of physical changes to the coast.

Are there any other ways the Local Plan should help to adapt to climate change?
Do you support the higher standard for reduced water usage of 110 litres/person/day in new homes?
In the area where you live, are there any specific concerns that you would like to raise relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation? Please specify the area.
Are there any other matters related to climate change mitigation and adaptation that should be considered?

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3. Healthy Sustainable Communities - Promoting Health

In North Yorkshire

Significantly higher life expectancy than UK average, but varies widely across county.
Deprivation generally low but high in some areas (e.g coastal).
Ageing population, double the UK average of over 65, and getting worse.

Local : amongst lowest life expectancies of the county, health deprivation in parts of the town, transport deprivation (“coastal health crisis”).

What health inequalities exist in your local area? Please specify the area.
How could the Local Plan help to promote health and reduce health inequalities?

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3. Healthy Sustainable Communities - Open Space

What do you think of the availability and quality of open spaces and community facilities in your local area? Please specify the area.

The Local Plan could help to create healthy / sustainable places through new development with access to open spaces and community facilities by:

locating new development in existing settlements where there are existing open spaces and community facilities.
through good design, achieving safe access from a development site to existing open spaces and community facilities via walking and cycling.
requiring new, high quality, public open spaces / community facilities on sites where there is a need.
Are there any other ways the Local Plan can help to create healthy and sustainable places with access to open spaces and community facilities?
Are there any other matters relating to healthy and sustainable communities that should be considered when preparing the new Local Plan?

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4. Natural Environment resilience - Biodiversity/Enhancement

The Environment Act requires a biodiversity “net gain” of (minimum) 10% on all new developments, preferably on-site, otherwise off-site. It also requires a Local Nature Recovery Strategy, listing areas where nature improvements are needed.

What approach should be incorporated in the Local Plan to protect / improve biodiversity?

The Local Plan could help to enhance the existing network of green (parks etc) and blue (waterways etc) infrastructure by:

protecting and enhancing the existing green and blue infrastructure network.
creation of new areas of green / blue infrastructure on Local Plan sites.
creating of new or improvement of existing green and/or blue infrastructure off site.

Are there any other ways the Local Plan should help to enhance the network of green and blue infrastructure?
What types of green and blue infrastructure are valued in your local area? Please specify the area and what you value them for.

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4. Natural Environment resilience - Pollution

The Local Plan has a role to play in ensuring that pollutants which typically accompany new development, associated with increased traffic, dust and noise generated during construction etc, are carefully controlled. Similarly the impact of the development on the environment (e.g water pollution).

Local : No dredging since 2023, new license only just granted but harbour contaminants. Noise pollution and road particulates high Mayfield Rd – New Bridge – Helredale Rd.

In your local area what types of pollution are you most concerned about? Please specify the area and type of pollution.
In your local area are there any issues with land instability or contamination? Please specify the area.
Any other ways the Local Plan should help to control pollution and protect / restore ground conditions?
Any other matters related to natural environment resilience that should be considered?

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5. Specific Housing Needs – Affordable Housing

Rental (social & other affordable options) and to buy (discounted, shared ownership etc) will ALL be needed.

The Assessment Document (which suggests 2458 affordable homes / yr needed) together with an assessment of viability of the whole Local Plan will help to determine the level of affordable housing need across North Yorkshire and this may vary depending on demand and viability.

Local : Neighbourhood Plan HNA suggests “50% discounted housing” needed, and 70% rental : 30% to buy is the ratio of affordable needed, with 501 affordable homes by 2040.

Do you think there is a need for more affordable housing? If yes, are there any specific types of affordable housing that should be prioritised?
How else could the Local Plan support the delivery of affordable housing?

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5. Specific Housing Needs – Housing for elderly

The Local Plan could support the development of housing that meets the needs of older people through:

locating housing developments in places which have access to existing services and facilities;
the allocation of land for specific types of housing to meet the needs of older people e.g., retirement living, sheltered housing, extra care etc;
the development of new homes that can adapt to residents’ needs and allow older people to remain in their homes for longer;
the provision of a range of housing types which cater for the needs of older people i.e., smaller housing to allow for opportunities to downsize.

Local : Neighbourhood Plan HNA suggest 379-591 dwellings needed by 2040 (107-279 with on-site care).

Are there any other ways the Local Plan can help to meet the needs of older people?

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5. Specific Housing Needs – Housing for disabled

Currently Building Regs relating to accessible / adaptable dwellings (M4(2)) and wheelchair user dwellings (M4(3)) are optional. M4(2) likely to become minimum.

The Local Plan could help to address the needs of people with disabilities by:

supporting adaption / extension of existing residential properties to meet changing needs,
considering the needs of people with disabilities in the design of private gardens and public spaces, and
increasing housing choice by providing specialist housing for disabled people.

Any other ways the Local Plan can help address the needs of people with disabilities?
If Building Reg M4(2) does not become mandatory, should the Local Plan require a proportion of new dwellings to meet this standard? Or cover all new dwellings?
Would you support the Local Plan requiring optional standards for a proportion of wheelchair-user dwellings - M4(3) standard?

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5. Specific Housing Needs – Second Homes

A proportion of 20% second homes widely regarded as the threshold at which communities may become socially unviable. The Assessment Document claims 20% for Whitby parish and 38% for Lythe parish.

Note : Likely awaiting a UK Government new “use class” for second homes to be able to control the numbers, as well as a registry of holiday lets.

Local : Neighbourhood Plan HNA gives 35.5%-44.5% for Whitby.

How can the Local Plan help tackle the issues associated with an increase in second and holiday homes in parts of North Yorkshire?
Are there any specific locations where measures for controlling the amount of second homes and/or holiday homes should be considered? If so please specify the location.

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5. Specific Housing Needs – Other housing

The Local Plan could help to support the delivery of self-build housing by:

supporting this type of house building in suitable locations to address local demand, and
requiring a proportion of self build plots to be provided on larger housing sites.

Are there any other ways the local plan can help to meet the needs of people wanting to commission or build their own homes?

With RAF Fylingdales in the area, their housing needs could be met through the provision of different types of affordable housing to rent or buy based on evidence of need.

In your local area or across the plan area how can the Local Plan help to meet the housing needs of service families? Please specify the area.
Have we identified the correct housing needs that the Local Plan should consider?
Are there any other matters related to meeting the housing needs of specific groups that should be considered when preparing the new local plan? If so, which group?

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6. Deliver Prosperous Economy - Economic strength/skills

The Local Plan could help to support North Yorkshire's economy by:

providing a mix of sites to meet the needs of different types of businesses,
encouraging employment opportunities in higher skilled jobs,
protecting existing employment land and business uses, and
ensuring there is the necessary infrastructure needed to support the economic growth.

Local : Business park has 33 (smaller) units with planning, but need space for larger businesses to expand, not currently possible.

Are there any other ways the Local Plan should help to support North Yorkshire's economy?
Are there specific types of businesses, either across the plan area or in specific areas, that the Local Plan should help? If so, please indicate which types of businesses and area?

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6. Deliver Prosperous Economy - Tourism

The Local Plan could support proposals for new tourist accommodation by:

supporting new tourist accommodation where it meets criteria set out in policy,
identifying key areas for new tourist accommodation and restricting new tourist accommodation in specific locations, and
the use of time limits for occupancy.

Local : with maybe 4m visitors per year, a balance needs finding

Are there any other ways in which the Local Plan can help to support tourism?
Are there any specific areas where new or the expansion of existing visitor attractions and facilities should be focused and encouraged? If so, please specify the area/s.

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6. Deliver Prosperous Economy - Rural Economy

The Local Plan could encourage and support the growth of the rural economy by:

supporting proposals for new or the expansion of existing rural enterprises in the countryside, including farm diversification
supporting proposals for the conversion of existing buildings in rural areas to commercial/business uses, and
protecting existing live/work units as well as supporting proposals for new units.

Are there any other ways in which the Local Plan can help to support the rural economy?

Are there any other matters related to creating a prosperous economy that should be considered when preparing the new Local Plan?

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7. Create Resilient Centres - Changing role of centres

The way that we use our centres is changing, with the effect of online and out of town shopping.

Local : Only 2 town centre cashpoints, no banks, many closed shops on main shopping street.

Thinking about your local area, which towns / centres are good examples of places with a range of uses (i.e., retail, residential, leisure, community, entertainment etc) used during the day and night? Please tell us which ones.
Thinking about your local area, are there any towns or centres that could be improved? If so please tell us which ones and how?
Do you have any suggestions of ways the Local Plan could also help to maintain and enhance local retail and community facilities?

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7. Create Resilient Centres - Retaining local facilities

The Local Plan will need to consider how best to encourage the retention of local retail and community facilities, which provide for the day-to-day needs of people in their local area.

Are there any local retail or community facilities that are missing from your local area? If so, please tell us what is missing and where where you would like to see it located.
Do you have suggestions of ways the local plan could help to encourage the retention of local retail and community facilities?
Are there any other matters related to resilient towns and centres that should be considered when preparing the new local plan?

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8. Sustainable Transport - Public Transport

The Local Plan could help to encourage the use of public transport by:

focusing new development within areas with good public transport links,
ensuring new development is designed to include safe access to existing public transport links via walking and cycling,
on large mixed-use sites requiring masterplans to be prepared setting out a comprehensive strategy for development including consideration of public transport use,
requiring developers to prepare “travel plans” to show how a development encourages public transport use.

Local : limited bus service, poor train service.

Are there any other ways the Local Plan can encourage the use of public transport?
Are there any other matters related to sustainable transport and accessibility that should be considered when preparing the new Local Plan?

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8. Sustainable Transport - Active Travel

The Local Plan could encourage uptake in active travel and reduction in car travel by:

focusing development in areas with good public transport links,
ensuring new development is designed to include safe walking and cycling routes,
allocating sites for a mix of uses providing opportunities for people to walk or cycle between them e.g. housing and retail,
on large mixed use sites, requiring masterplans to be prepared setting out a comprehensive strategy for development including consideration of active travel, and
requiring developers to prepare travel plans to show how a development encourages active travel.

Local : reasonable path network but lack of crossings, very poor cycle infrastructure.

Are there any other ways the Local Plan should encourage active travel and help reduce car travel?

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9. Infrastructure to Support Growth

Infrastructure : transport, telecoms, security, waste management, water supply, drainage, flood risk and coastal change management, health, education, cultural infrastructure, green / blue space(parks, gardens, woodlands, countryside, rivers, lakes and canals).

To accompany the Local Plan there will be

an infrastructure capacity study to show what we currently have,
an infrastructure delivery plan showing strategic priorities,
green / blue infrastructure strategy defining what to be provided by Local Plan allocations.

Infrastructure delivery will also be timed to align with new developments. Infrastructure has to be accessible.

Infrastructure is currently funded by S106 or Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) (dependent on borough). The Local Plan will consider what approach is suitable for North Yorkshire.

Are there any other matters related to securing infrastructure that should be considered?

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10. High Quality Design

Thinking about the area where you live, and the buildings, streets and spaces within it. In a few words what is the one thing that you most like about where you live? And is there one thing you would like to change about where you live?
In your local area or across the plan area please provide examples of features or design that have helped to create well designed developments. Please specify the area.
Are there any other matters related to achieving high quality design that should be considered when preparing the new local plan?

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11. Historic Environment – Protect and Enhance

The Local Plan can help by

maintaining / providing access to the Heritage Environment Record,
identifying non-designated heritage assets (NDHA) through a local list,
preparing conservation area appraisals to understand the features which are important in conservation areas and steps to protect / enhance those features,
identify assets at risk and consider appropriate measures to safeguard them,
ensuring new development is encouraged to contribute to and complement the character and local distinctiveness of an area by understanding that local distinctiveness and contributes positively to the character and appearance of our historic environment,
creating Article 4 Directives in areas which have features that need protecting. These remove or restrict permitted development rights from a site or area, meaning planning permission is required, and
encouraging the sensitive and creative reuse of heritage assets.

Local : NDHA list being compiled for Neighbourhood Plan, Design Code also available.

Have we addressed the key themes and issues relating to the historic environment?

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NYC Local Plan - Priorities

Putting the usual / mandatory requirements to one side (contributions towards education / schools, open space provision, local health providers, etc), please rank what you consider should be the top priorities that development should, where possible, contribute towards:

delivery of affordable & social housing
provision of homes that meet specific space standards and have larger room sizes than have recently been delivered (meeting nationally described space standards)
provision of accessible, adaptable and wheelchair accessible homes
need to be more energy efficient re: future energy requirements & construction tech.
implementing carbon offsetting measures that could include tree planting and natural habitat creation (exceeding the current mandatory 10% increase in biodiversity net gain)
higher quality design
incorporating greater water efficiency into buildings, and/or
other priorities (please specify in your response).

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NYC Local Plan - Call For Sites

Sites proposed.

Will be consulted on in a later stage.

Vast majority of these are “proposals” only, with no planning application.

No guarantee of inclusion in Local Plan.

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Whitby Neighbourhood Plan

Remaining Stages to be done locally, as follows

Stage 7 : Write a draft Neighbourhood Plan document
Stage 8 : 6-week consultation on the draft plan
Stage 9 : Review the consultation results and amend the plan
Stage 10 : Submit the revised plan to NYC.

Funding has, thus far, come from UK Government via “Locality”.

Problem : UK Government has just ceased funding for Neighbourhood Plans!

URGENT : We need Whitby Town Council to step in and use its reserves to fund Stages 7-10 so we can complete the job.

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Any Other Business

Next WCN Public Meeting

Monday 21^st July 2025

Topic : to be confirmed

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Whitby Community Network CIC�“Campaigning on the problems facing Whitby & District”

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