The General Situation Craven District Council produced a Local Development Plan in 1999 with a 7 year time frame. In 2004 the Govt introduced new requirements on Local Authorities to prepare Local Development Frameworks and allowed a 3 year extension to any existing development plan whilst LDFs were prepared. Craven D C failed to act on this requirement. The old plan is therefore 5 years out of date. Under the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 the Govt. required all Local Planning Authorities to produce Local Plans which set out planning policy in their areas. Regional Planning Strategies (the RPS for Yorkshire and Humberside formed part of the CDC Local Devt Plan) were abolished in Feb 2013 The National Planning Policy Framework issued in March 2012 gave guidance to LAs on how to draw up a plan. This must include public consultation to reflect the views of local communities and against which planning applications are to be judged.

Craven DC prepared a first draft plan and undertook public consultation in the summer of last year. In response, E w E PC issued a ‘Local Land Position Statement’ in Sept. 2013: Development should be within the boundaries of existing development and in character with the 2 villages of Embsay and Eastby. Embsay and Eastby are 2 separate villages and this separation must be maintained. Open sections of land within the villages used for stock rearing reflect the rural heritage of the villages and their character. They should be maintained to retain this framework.

The development of an estate of a large no. of dwellings should be avoided. Development should consist of individual or small nos. of dwellings that can be integrated into the existing framework of E w E. This will ensure the character and community cohesion of both villages be retained. Any development should enhance the villages and community. It should not turn the village into a dormitory to supply larger towns and cities with workers who do not partake of village life. This aim can only be achieved by minimalist development.

Craven DC are currently preparing a 2 nd draft of the Local plan for public consultation in Sept. In that 2 nd draft CDC have reduced the number of preferred sites for development in the parish from 7 to 2, both being to the south side of Shires Lane. If there are no material changes required after Sept. then the Local Plan will be submitted to the Govt. Planning Inspectorate for examination and, hopefully, approval.

There is therefore currently no Local Plan made under the NPPF. 85% of LAs are in a similar position. As part of the NPPF the Govt. has introduced a new consideration – “ a presumption in favour of sustainable development” i.e: if a development plan is absent, silent or indeterminate or where relative policies are out of date with regard to a development proposal, planning permission should be granted.

Sample letter or of objection: Your full address Address of the local planning authority dealing with the application Date Name of planning officer dealing with the case Reference no. 26/2014/??????

A one line summary of what the application proposes, where it is and who is the applicant. Interest and general view of person writing: Eg: I write in connection with this proposal. I have examined the plans and know the site well. I wish to object strongly to the development of houses in this location. Refer to the CDC draft local plan and specifically that the proposal is not a ‘preferred site’ for development.

Refer to the Parish Council Local Land Development Position Statement. Comment more specifically on issues such as: Impact on the local landscape and lessening of physical division between the villages. Increased traffic and highway safety risks. Hedgerow loss and wildlife implications. Ground and surface water problems.