FAR-REACHING new planning guidance which will help to reduce the number of houses being built on green field sites in North Yorkshire has been published by the government.

The Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions is consulting local authorities and other agencies on a broad development strategy for the Yorkshire and Humber region over the next 15-20 years.

The consultation document includes the prospect of a check in the rate of housing growth in North Yorkshire, as well as support for more sustainable transport policies and for regeneration and diversification of the rural and coastal areas.

Housing growth in the county is to be reduced from an annual average of more than 3,000 to 2,500, which still leaves substantial scope for inward migration.

It is envisaged that 53pc of this housing will be built on previously developed land in urban areas and market towns, reducing the emphasis on use of green field sites. Greater attention is given to housing affordable to local people.

Allocation of employment land is expected to be focused on the main urban areas and market towns, with green belts likely to remain substantially unchanged.

Greater emphasis is placed on public transport and other alternatives to the car, but the limitations of this approach in rural areas are recognised. There is specific guidance on development in areas with a high flood risk.

The document was welcomed by Mr Phil Lawson, head of environmental policy development at North Yorkshire County Council, who said: "The guidance establishes not only the scale and broad distribution of provision for new housing, but also priorities relating to environment, transport, infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, minerals and waste.

"It will have a significant influence on the preparation of development plans, local transport plans and the investment strategies of all public and private agencies."

Mr Mick Jewitt, head of planning policy and economic development at Hambleton council, said: "We have supported a strategy for reducing house building across North Yorkshire to a level that more closely accords with local needs.

"In the past we have found that a large proportion of the housing requirement has catered for migrants rather than local need.

"We have been trying to encourage authorities in the region to accommodate more of their own housing growth, such as in the conurbations of West Yorkshire.

"This new planning guidance will mean greater challenges in how we monitor and manage housing limits to ensure sufficient housing.

"The document gives guidance up to 2016 but our current local plans run to 2006, so policies in them will have to reviewed and rolled forward.

"The major impact will probably be seen in fewer housing allocations for villages, but market towns will continue to be the focus for housing and employment growth."

The final rural planning guidance is expected to be published this summer, forming the framework for developing policies and proposals in the North Yorkshire structure plan being prepared jointly by the county council and the two national park authorities. Draft structure plan policies are expected to be available for consultation next year