Strategic Objectives

The LDF Core Strategy Objectives are as follows

Settlement Growth

To seek the use of previously developed land within the District’s six largest settlements in preference to greenfield land
Subject to the provision of appropriate traffic measures and new infrastructure and notwithstanding objective 6, to focus the District’s growth in the town of Harrogate
To ensure that Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Pateley Bridge are the main focus for housing, developing local services and employment in the rural areas
To provide small scale housing growth in the District’s smaller settlements to meet local needs and support local services without increasing long distance commuting
To manage the release of land for housing to control the pattern and speed of growth in accordance with the regional spatial strategy and the provision of infrastructure
To reduce the annual rate of house building compared to the past

Homes for Local People

To secure the provision of housing for local people, and in particular the provision of affordable housing for local people is maximised

Jobs and Business

To promote a robust and varied economy for the benefit of local people
To significantly improve the prospects of the rural and market town economy, including the diversification of the agricultural industry
To provide an adequate, but not excessive supply of readily available employment land to meet identified employment needs
To protect and enhance the conference and exhibition business District’s town centres, conference business and holiday tourism, and the digital and food cluster industries

Travel

To retain and improve access for all, particularly those in rural areas, to key services: health, education, employment, food shopping, community facilities, recreation and tourism
To integrate development and transport provision and locate development where it is accessible to key services and facilities and a range of transport modes
To improve the provision of bus and rail services and facilities, pedestrian and cycle networks, community transport schemes, park and ride and traffic management measures
to reduce traffic congestion within the District with priority given to Harrogate and Knaresborough

The Environment

To protect the countryside and greenbelt from inappropriate development
To provide enhanced care for the environment, with particular emphasis on the reduction of waste and CO2 emissions, climate change and renewable energy
To protect and enhance the built and natural environment, including landscape character, giving special protection towards those areas and buildings of recognised importance To encourage exemplar design quality which minimises impact on the environment, particularly in sensitive areas

Residents and Communities

To reduce crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime
To increase work, housing, cultural and leisure opportunities for young people
To reduce social isolation for the elderly and those with long term health disadvantage
To improve accessibility to services and improvements in the quality of life in areas of the

Burton Leonard