North Yorkshire Council has warned it faces a major challenge to draw up a blueprint that will determine where thousands of new homes are built across the county within a tight government-imposed timetable.
Officers say preparing the new Local Plan, which will shape development across North Yorkshire for years to come, will be a complex undertaking, with several risks that could delay its completion.
The authority has 30 months to complete the main plan-making process, with officials warning that meeting the deadline would be challenging even for much smaller council areas.
The Local Plan will identify land suitable for new housing and other development, establish planning policies and help determine how communities grow.
It will also influence decisions about protecting the countryside, employment land and transport infrastructure.
A report going before the council's executive next Tuesday, October 6, warns of the difficulties of preparing such a major document within the required timescale.
The report states: “The reality is that as we move through the process there are several risks for us to monitor and there are pinch points that increase the risk of slippage.”
They add that producing such a large and complex plan within the timetable will be “challenging to even the smallest plan areas in the country”.
Among the potential problems identified are the increased scale of housing growth, the complexity of gathering transport evidence across North Yorkshire's vast geographical area and the resources needed to assess potential development sites.
The report also highlights the May 2027 local elections, the availability of specialist planning staff and the need to commission evidence from neighbouring authorities as possible obstacles.
Officers anticipate a high level of public interest when the council eventually consults on draft planning policies and proposed development sites.
The challenges come as the authority prepares to formally launch the next stage of work on the Local Plan.
Councillors are being asked to approve an updated timetable, with the first public consultation scheduled to begin on October 26.
Residents and other interested parties will have until December 7 to comment on the scope of the plan and how they should be involved in its preparation.
Detailed proposals identifying potential development sites will come later.
A further consultation on the plan's content and supporting evidence is scheduled for September 2027, followed by consultation on the proposed Local Plan in autumn 2028.
The council aims to submit the plan for independent examination in March 2029, with formal adoption scheduled for October that year.
The latest report also reveals that policies governing minerals extraction and waste management will be incorporated into the Local Plan rather than prepared separately.
Officers say this is the most practical approach, although it will add to an already demanding workload.
The additional work could cost around £1m, including up to £500,000 for further evidence gathering, with the money coming from an existing council reserve.
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Despite the difficulties, officers say incorporating minerals and waste policies should not delay the overall timetable.
The executive is being recommended to approve the updated programme and formally authorise the start of the Local Plan process.
If agreed, the council intends to publish its official notice of commencement on October 16.
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