THE number of new homes built in Richmondshire is in danger of falling drastically thanks to government policy, an expert planner has warned.

James Hall, partner at planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore in Leeds and Newcastle, said Richmondshire District Council’s recent move to consult on a reduced housing requirement could damage the area’s prosperity.

The council has begun work on a revised Local Plan – the key vision for future development in the local authority – and one option is to reduce the housing requirement from 180 per year to just 15.

Mr Hall said two of the council’s other options – which would result in requirements of 120 and 160 homes – would help Richmondshire’s economic success more.

He said: “Earlier this year the Government introduced a new standard methodology for assessing local housing needs.

“For many counties like Yorkshire it means corresponding targets could be lowered, but this could potentially damage prosperity.

“Housing growth is a key stimulator of economic growth, and Richmondshire needs new homes to make this a reality.

“Drastically cutting the area’s housing requirement could have serious knock-on consequences.”

The council's existing Local Plan was adopted in 2014, and the revised plan will cover the period to 2035. The consultation runs until the end of October.

Mr Hall added: “Richmondshire needs to make sure it chooses housing requirements linked to job creation. We need an ambitious outlook to make sure the area is properly supported by its Local Plan.”

Richmondshire District Council is beginning a review of its Local Plan for the towns and villages outside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "The Local Plan sets out what and where development is acceptable, and once agreed and adopted, will govern how planning applications are assessed.

"The consultation is to identify the key issues and opportunities for Richmondshire which the revised Local Plan should address. It will also identify some options and initial ideas for the scale and location of housing and economic development. One of the options for housing development is a development target of 15 new homes a year."

Visit www.richmondshire.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/issues-and-options-consultation