Keeping the Dales alive is vital task

News this week that the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority continues to wrestle with the need to protect the landscape and the conflicting need to construct affordable homes on farmland.

Views are being sought on whether 1,200 homes should be built there by 2040. The park authority is also seeking opinion on whether it should introduce more controls on holiday lets and second homes.

The simple answer seems to be a “yes” to both but, as Neil Heseltine, chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, points out, “The National Park is a farmed landscape and we don’t want to lose that but we know there are massive challenges facing upland farmers, as well as some new opportunities. These opportunities will require very different types of development.”

His point is that the Dales cannot and should not be preserved in aspic if it is to be a living, working landscape.

It is clear that low impact, attractive commercial and industrial buildings are needed to bring new enterprises and job creation, along with affordable homes that should remain at least 40 per cent lower than market value in perpetuity. The latter is a must as wages in farming and in hospitality, the two main areas of employment, are low.

Good design is imperative and a competition for architects to bring a fresh response to rural housing in a protected landscape would be well worthwhile.

Sharon Dale, Property editor

Email: sharon.dale @ypn.co.uk

Twitter: @propertywords