Shining a light on Saltaire, Class Q and 2024 house prices

THIS is the first edition of in 2024 and so we say happy new year to our readers and thank them for supporting Yorkshire Post.

This weekend we take a look at the Class Q permitted development rights, which aim to simplify the process of converting underused agricultural buildings and boost the supply of rural housing.

The experts at Rural Solutions, based in Skipton, have given us the low down and we thank them for that as Class Q has been a game changer.

Our main feature is by Jayne Dowle and looks at the property market in Saltaire, a location that has become even more popular. This is down to a number of factors including its sublime setting, which means it has easy access to Leeds and Bradford by road and rail while also having a canal and river on its doorsetp while being within walking distance of open countryside.

Its other great asset is its architecture and reminds us how big a part beautiful and substantial buildings play in making us feel good.

Last but not least, Saltaire has a very active community and lots of events that bring people together. House prices reflect the village’s popularity but the last time I looked there was a two-bedroom terraced house at £140,000 with Cotson Reddish, which looks like a bargain.

We also feature award-winning staircase specialist Bisca, based in Helmsley, which won a top award, not just for the superb designs but for its ecofriendly approach to manufacturing. It’s a Yorkshire company to be proud of.

Finally, a reminder for homeowners that Savills forecast for Yorkshire is a 2.5 per cent slip in residential property values this year, followed by four years of growth, with a 4.5 per cent rise in 2025, 5.5 per cent in 2026, seven per cent in 2027 and 4.5 per cent in 2028. The accumulation over the five years could take us to a 20.2 per cent rise.