Modifications to Local Plan proposed

A six-week consultation on modifications to York’s emerging Local Plan starts this week.

The modifications are proposed by the Local Plan Inspectors who have sought to ensure a number of improvements to this part of the plan, having listened to and acted on debates at the in-person hearing session in March 2024.

Part of the city’s emerging Local Plan sets policy to ensure the needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community are accommodated over the plan's period. These proposed modifications will ensure that improvements at existing sites, as well as access to more and healthier accommodation, are captured in policy. These will make the draft plan legally compliant and to allow it to be adopted.

Comments received to the consultation will be considered by the Inspectors directly.

The modifications consultation runs until midnight on 30 August 2024.

Once adopted, York’s Local Plan will:

• for the first time, create and protect a permanent green belt
• support the creation of 18,000 homes, including over 4,000 new affordable homes
• support new transport infrastructure investment
• create up to six new schools
• provide more opportunities for employment sites
• require that any off-campus purpose-built student accommodation makes a financial contribution towards affordable housing
• identify brownfield land
• provide the policies needed to reflect climate change ambition.

Councillor Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities at City of York Council, said:

“At this stage in the examination process, the consultation relates solely to the proposed main modifications. Progressing this will be another step towards the Local Plan being adopted, to set the strategic priorities for the whole city and to form the basis for planning decisions.

“Just as we have listened to all feedback, we are contacting residents and groups who’ve already kindly commented on this part of the plan, to see and comment on our new proposals, and warmly invite others to do so.”

All consultation documents are available on the council’s website, including an online survey, at: www.york.gov.uk/consultations 

Documents are also available to view electronically, and printed copies of the consultation documents are available at the council’s Customer Service Centre in West Offices by appointment.  

Consultation documents are available by emailing the Strategic Planning Policy Team at localplan@york.gov.uk or calling  01904 552255.

For more information about progress on the Local Plan, please visit www.york.gov.uk/LocalPlan.