MORE than 200 residents of the Yorkshire Dales National Park have shared their opinions on how to shape future planning policies for the area.

A total of 249 people, as well as 26 organisations, submitted comments to the National Park Authority's ‘Consultation No. 1 – Setting the Agenda’.

The responses included comments on issues from affordable housing provision to renewable energy and biodiversity.

These will help set the agenda for the new Local Plan and a second consultation, to be launched later this spring, will ask people to consider development scenarios and ideas.

YDNPA member Chris Clark thanked all who took part. He said: “It is interesting to read through the responses.

"New affordable housing is clearly a priority for many people, with one parish council suggesting that consideration should be given to creating an entirely new village.

"Barn conversions remain a hot topic, with some saying the policy should be loosened further, while other people say there should be no further conversions at all."

Mr Clark said other suggestions included creating an Eden Project-style attraction in the Dales. He said “The Authority will carefully weigh up the responses, including with a debate at its next full meeting at the end of this month."