Key plan for York’s green belt moves a step closer

The plan to protect York’s green belt and special character while providing the housing and employment the city needs will be considered by senior councillors over the next two weeks.

A report detailing responses to the latest public consultation on York’s draft Local Plan will go before the Local Plan Working Group next week (Wednesday 2 May) and the council’s Executive the week after (Tuesday 8 May).

If Executive approves the proposals, the full council will vote on 17 May on whether to submit it to the government. This would see the plan submitted to the government within the timescales agreed with the secretary of state for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

York needs a Local Plan to support the city’s economic growth and shape how the city changes over the next 15 years and beyond. The publication draft outlines areas of the city which can developed, as well as rules and principles which help achieve the vision of a ‘city with special qualities and distinctiveness that are recognised worldwide.’

Key features of the plan include:

  • Provision for around 20,000 homes over the next 20 years, with around 4000 more homes delivered through affordable housing schemes
  • Provision to create around 650 new jobs per annum
  • Policies to protect and enhance York’s heritage culture and ensure that any new developments are of the highest standards
  • Preserving York’s setting and character by banning inappropriate greenbelt development
  • Protecting the environment, including stopping developments which are subject to flood risk and ensuring sustainable design
  • Providing levels through reducing, reusing and recycling.

Councillor Ian Gillies, leader of City of York Council, said:

“We need a Local Plan to make sure that any development makes York an even better place to live.

“This Local Plan will provide the homes and job opportunities the city needs, while recognising and protecting our city’s distinct and special character.

“We’ve made great progress and are on track to submit this plan, on time, to the government.”

The plans have been shaped by residents’ views gained in two recent city-wide consultations, one in 2016 and again in 2017 after the Ministry of Defence’s announcement that large barracks sites would become available during the Local Plan’s 15 year lifespan.

The results of the latest consultation – which focussed on the criteria which the planning inspector will consider when examining the Local Plan – will be submitted directly to the government along with the plan. In total, the council has received over 32,000 comments on the Local Plan since 2013.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Executive Member for Economic Development, said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in these consultations. They will have helped to shape a plan which will determine the future of our city, encourage the right kind of development and make sure York remains the best place to live in the UK.

“The Local Plan is one of the most significant strategic documents for the City of York, as it will determine how York develops over the next 15 years.

“We believe that this is the right plan for York, and one that promotes a balanced approach. This includes sustainable developments, the need for better transport links, the city’s cultural offer and much more. It is absolutely essential that we deliver a plan that addresses the local pressures in our housing market, but at the same time, guarantees the protection of the greenbelt and York’s natural beauty through the regeneration of Brownfield sites.”

Executive takes place on Tuesday 8 May from 5.30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch live online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

Shared by: City of York Council

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Home and Living

Best Budget Smartphones Under $200

In the rapidly advancing digital era, it’s no longer a luxury but a necessity to have a smartphone. Not everyone however needs or is able to pay hundreds of dollars for an expensive device. The good news is that there are numerous budget smartphones under $200 that provide great performance, decent cameras, and a long…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Ten years on: More first-time buyers moving to cities while the coast stands still

New ten-year analysis of the property market shows that more first-time buyers are looking to move to cities, while the coast has seen no growth in new buyers First-time buyer demand to move to Great Britain’s 50 largest cities (excluding London) is up by 16% on average over the last ten years, with Dundee topping…
Read More
Breaking News

Homeowners in England and Wales overvalue their properties by an average of 16%

Homeowners in England and Wales are overestimating the value of their property by an average of 16%, according to new figures. Data from Quick Move Now compares homeowner estimates with formal estate agent valuations and is broken down by both region and property type. Overall, homeowners overvalue in every single category.   Regional breakdown Region…
Read More
Visual blemishes on Roads due to service upgrades
Estate Agent Talk

Emergency Sidewalk Repairs: When to Act and Who to Call

Sidewalks are the unsung heroes of city infrastructure—quietly assisting tens of millions of footsteps every day. But when they crack, disintegrate, or shift all of sudden, they might quickly turn out to be volatile liabilities. In a town like New York, in which pedestrian site visitors are constant and belongings proprietors are legally chargeable for…
Read More
Breaking News

Reapit report reveals agents’ long-term market confidence amid legislative challenges

Despite the significant challenges posed by a shifting economic landscape and the largest wave of housing legislation in decades, estate and letting agents remain steadfast in their confidence about their long-term future in the industry. According to the first Reapit Property Outlook Report 2025, covering the full breadth of sales and lettings agency opinion countrywide,…
Read More
Breaking News

Owner-Occupiers Drive Resilient Commercial Property Market

Buying Becomes 37% Cheaper Than Renting The latest Commercial Property Demand Index from specialist property finance expert, Rangewell, reveals that while investor appetite across the sector held steady in Q2, strong levels of owner-occupied commercial mortgage activity are helping drive market performance, as business owners increasingly move from renting to buying their long-term premises for…
Read More