News

We have been doing a lot of writing in March!

Husthwaite Design Code

The Draft Husthwaite Design Code prepared by external consultants, AECOM was approved by Locality  (which administers the government funding for neighbourhood plans).

This 71 page document analyses the historical development of Husthwaite village and the traditional features, including layout, building materials, styles and setting which contribute to its unique character and sense of place.  It also considers the countryside part of the parish and looks at key elements of development in that area.   The Design Codes themselves then set out a list of requirements, some mandatory, which all new development should take into account so as to maintain the essential character of Husthwaite but also create well-designed sustainable buildings.

Although the draft Design Code has no formal status yet, as it will be subject to full public and statutory consultation along with the draft Neighbourhood Plan in due course, the Parish Council feels it is helpful to share this now with residents and potential developers as it indicates the standards the Parish Council would like to see applied to new housing and other development in the Parish.  The Parish Council also plans to draw the attention of planning officers to the draft Design Code in relation to new planning applications as relevant.

If anyone has any comments on the draft Design Code, they will have a chance to submit these during the consultation process but they are also very welcome to email the NP working group c/o husthwaitepc@hotmail.co.uk.

Local Landscape Character Asessment

Following several days doing field studies in various parts of the parish, the ‘environment team’ are currently finalising their first draft of the complete  Local Landscape Character Assessment.

Neighbourhood Plan

The drafting of the Neighbourhood Plan policies are also well under way and we hope to have a complete first draft ready in the next week or so.  We will then need to sort out any missing evidence including statistical data and maps and get some informal feedback from North Yorkshire Council.

We would then like to invite a small group of ‘first readers’ from outside the working group to review the draft plan and give us some constructive feedback. If you would able to assist with this, please do get in touch with Sarah on 01347 868155 or ℅ husthwaitepc@hotmail.co.uk.

The latest planning update from the Parish Council has been issued: Husthwaite Parish Council – Planning Update – March 2025

The Herbert Protocol is a nationwide scheme adopted by all UK police forces with the aim of reducing the risk of harm to someone living with Dementia who may go missing, by enabling swift access to key information that can help the police find the person more quickly.We have previously requested a hard copy of the form is completed by their carer, updated regularly and produced to Police on request. We are now working in Partnership with ‘Safe & Found Online’ (SAFO) who offer an editable, digital copy of the form. As part of Missing Persons strategies, UK Police Forces are encouraging carers of vulnerable people who are a risk of going missing to compile useful information about them, via this website https://safeandfoundonline.co.uk/index.html Should a person suffering from Dementia, be reported as a missing person, we will be able to access the information their carer has recorded on the form, immediately. Potential lifesaving information can be with the police at the touch of a button.   Safe and Found Online is a social enterprise established by people who have personal experience of family members who have gone missing. The Data Sharing Agreement and Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) approved by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) which covers all UK police forces.

Warning! Invasive Non-Native Plant Species in Husthwaite

Last year we had a preliminary audit done of biodiversity in and around the village.  The report, by Wold Ecology, has highlighted the presence of three non-native invasive species: Montbretia, Himalayan balsam and variegated yellow archangel .  These plants are all listed in  schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and under that Act  it is an offence to plant these or otherwise allow them to grow in the wild (so if they are in your garden that is fine but you cannot allow them to spread).

The Parish Council is looking into how we can tackle these plants where they are alongside public footpaths – for example, there is Himalayan Balsam along Ings Beck and some Yellow Archangel along Beacon Banks.  The Parish Council would also encourage all residents to identify whether they have any of these in their garden (photos below) and take all necessary steps to keep them contained. More information can be found on each of these species on www.nonnativespecies.org

Pictures of the plants here: Invasive species

We continue to make steady progress. In the last month, we have:

• Started work on a Local Landscape Character Assessment.

In the Parish survey last year, there was a very strong indication that the local countryside matters to residents.  Over 130 respondents said that the character of the local landscape was a reason they liked living and working here while protecting this was the second most popular objective for the new plan.   But to create effective policies that promote the local countryside, the Plan must first identify the essential features of the area.

At national level, the Parish of Husthwaite falls entirely within National Character Area 28 which is the ‘Vale of York’. This does not really accurately describe the very special geological and landscape features of our lovely Parish.   The Hambleton Character Areas are much more detailed but the Parish is covered by three different areas and adjacent to two others, which makes identification of the relevant elements challenging.  So we have decided to create our own character assessment.

Some Neighbourhood Plan groups instruct professional landscape architects to undertake this work but some do it themselves which is the option we have gone for.  A sub-group comprising David Aspinall, Julia Hampshire, Keith Gittens and Alison Sawalhi are currently carrying out a desktop survey and will follow this with an ‘on the ground’ field survey. If anyone else would like to assist with this, or would like to suggest particular landscape features that should be recorded in the assessment, their input would be most welcome – please contact any one of the group direct or via husthwaitepc@hotmail.co.uk.

• Reviewed and commented on extensively the first complete draft Design Code prepared by external consultants, AECOM (funded by the Government through Locality.org).

This 80 page document analyses the historical development of Husthwaite village and the traditional features, including layout, building materials, styles and setting which contribute to its unique character and sense of place.  It also considers the countryside part of the parish and looks at key elements of development in that area.   The Design Codes themselves then set out a list of requirements, some mandatory, which all new development should take into account so as to maintain the essential character but also create well-designed sustainable buildings.

The draft Design Code has now been submitted to Locality for its approval but the content is still subject to consultation.    The Design Code will be a formal part of the Neighbourhood Plan so will be published to all Parish residents – and to statutory consultees – for comment once the draft Plan is complete which we hope will be May/June.

• Reviewed and commented on the revised draft Ecology Appraisal.

• Continued to work with the Husthwaite History Society on the list of buildings and other features which should be recognised as heritage assets (non-listed).

• Met with Broadacres Housing Association briefly to obtain their view on the  Housing Needs Assessment and their  plans for updating their current housing stock in Husthwaite and for creating more affordable housing in the area. Broadacres are building currently in Tollerton and elsewhere in Hambleton but have no immediate plans to build further housing in Husthwaite, although their representative expressed some interest if sites were identified and secured. Broadacres intends to make all their sites carbon neutral by 2050, with installation of air source heating and thermal treatment for external walls.

• Reported on progress to the Parish Council at their meeting on 11 February and obtained Parish Council approval of the draft objectives for the new Plan which have been amended slightly to take on board feedback from parish residents who came to the drop in events held in January.

• Finally (!) started drafting the policies for the new Plan.  This is now very much the focus for the next month as our grant covering work done by planning consultant, Steve Besford Foster, expires on 31 March.  While we could potentially obtain further funding (up to £8000) for more of his time, we can’t do this for the next financial year until the Government confirms the general funding for neigbhourhood plans and also confirms that Locality will continue to oversee this.  We expect there to be a hiatus after 31 March while we wait for the Government confirmation,   during which time no neighbourhood plan groups will be able to secure the essential funds they need for these complex projects.  We are therefore in a race to complete the first draft by the end of March – watch this space!

 

Message from North Yorkshire Police

We’ve just launched a new live chat service on our website.

You can connect to us online, in real-time, meaning we can get you the information you need quickly and efficiently.

It’s currently available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Our colleagues will be ready to answer your questions, give you advice, or make sure your query gets dealt with by the right team or organisation.

The system is for non-urgent enquiries only, and is in addition to our existing online services. Via the North Yorkshire Police website, you can already report crime, anti-social behaviour and road traffic incidents; apply or register for various certificates and licences; add information to an existing crime report; and tell us how we’re doing by submitting complaints and compliments.

Look for the blue LIVE CHAT button on the bottom-right of the North Yorkshire Police website. When an operator is available, just click “New Conversation” to get started.

The latest planning update from the Parish Council has been issued here

Informal consultation continues

We hosted two drop in events in the village hall in January (15th and 18th) to showcase the progress made to date. This included:

• Draft vision statement
• Draft spatial strategy
• Draft objectives for a number of different areas that the new plan will cover including: Housing, Design and Heritage, Natural Environment and Biodiversity, Transport and Infrastructure, Community and Climate Change.
• For each theme we also highlighted key national and local planning policies that the objectives will help to deliver (as we are obliged to do) and the survey evidence that indicates community support for all the objectives.
• We also put up extracts from a draft Design Code (being prepared by Government appointed consultants, AECOM) indicating the historical and landscape context of the buildings in Husthwaite and also an analysis of the key features of the village in terms of layout, building materials and styles and relationship with its rural setting.

Non-heritage assets and surveys

Also on display was a paper prepared by the Husthwaite History Society setting out a variety of historical features (buildings, street furniture, landscape etc) which should be considered as non-designated heritage assets i.e. not listed but given some level of protection by planning rules.

Finally we invited attendees to complete two surveys – one asking for feedback on the new website and one asking about interest in setting up a community shop including a willingness to volunteer some time towards this..

Attendance

About 30 Parish residents came to have a look and generally were very complimentary about the amount of work that is going into this critical project.  Some very helpful feedback was provided on the wording of some objectives and this has already resulted in some minor amendments to the text.

Husthwaite PC also hosted the Local Parish Council Forum on the evening of the 15th so the display was also reviewed by parish councillors from Crayke, Coxwold, Ampleforth, Carlton Husthwaite and Brandsby, as well as North Yorkshire councillor, Nigel Knapton. Mr Knapton endorsed the importance of neighbourhood plans and all councils present indicated they were thinking of embarking on similar projects.

Accessing the documents/Next steps

The slides on the display boards have been put on the website (see here) as has the History society paper (see draft here). The shop survey has been circulated to those on the VH mailing list and anyone else who would like to see the survey can email Sheila Mowatt on sheila_mowatt@btinternet.com or contact Julia Hampshire ℅ husthwaitepc@hotmail.co.uk.  Paper copies are available on request.

We will continue to update parish residents via the website, mailchimp and newsletter. We are happy to receive feedback or answer questions any time – just email us ℅ husthwaitepc@hotmail.co.uk.  The next parish-wide survey will be when we seek comments on the draft plan which we hope will be in April.

Working group news

The working group are delighted that Keith Gittens has joined us as, quite apart from being another much-needed ‘pair of hands’(!),  he brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge in relation to the local environment.  Keith is currently helping to review the revised draft Biodiversity Appraisal which Wold Ecology has just produced and also is part of a sub-group (with David Aspinall, Alison Sawalhi and Julia Hampshire) who are preparing a Local Landscape Character Assessment. This will provide a very useful level of granular detail which means the new plan can be as effective as possible at protecting and enhancing the unique and special features of our parish.

Meanwhile AECOM has just produced the first full draft of the Design Code and Philip Hewitson and Sonia Hunter are reviewing this. Sarah Harper is leading on photographs and design, while Sheila Mowatt and Alison Sawalhi manage all things relating to communication including the website. Sheila is also our ‘documents manager’.  Sam Milburn is helping with the collation of statistical evidence and community engagement.  Finally, our marvellous planning consultant (grant-funded), Steve, is starting to chivvy us towards actually writing the plan building on all the consultation and evidence gathering that has gone on over the last 18 months.  He has produced a somewhat daunting outline and the writing begins now!

Can you help us?

I am hugely indebted to all of the working group for their efforts – and for continuing to retain a sense of humour in our weekly project meetings!  If anyone else in the Parish could give us a bit of help with the next stage, we would be very grateful.  This could include:

• Acting as a ‘first reader’ for sections of the plan. This would be really helpful  as we need to make sure the plan is very clear and accessible to all.
• Helping compile a statement recording all consultation events and activities
• Helping compile a Equalities Impact Assessment (using template)
• Doing some online research to obtain any missing data needed for the plan
• Preparing graphs or other diagrams to illustrate our plan
• Taking and selecting photographs to illustrate our plan
• Helping to design the visual layout of the plan and also ensuring its accessibility
• Hand delivering a letter to all households in the parish once the plan is drafted and ready to be reviewed (the ‘Reg 14 consultation’)

If you think you could help and/or want to find out a bit more about what type of commitment might be required, please email Sarah Aspinall ℅ husthwaitepc@hotmail.co.uk and we can find a time to speak.

Sarah Aspinall
Parish Council lead of Husthwaite Neighbourhood Plan Project

The latest planning update from the Parish Council has been issued here.

A huge amount of work has taken place in recent months including:

• Identifying all relevant national and local planning policy and other key initiatives that will provide the context and support for our new plan.
• Collating and reviewing responses to our survey of local estate agents (to which we received an unprecedented 100% response!).
• Collating responses to our survey of businesses in the parish (to which we got a respectable 60% response).
• Identifying with the Husthwaite History Society possible additions to the register of non-designated heritage assets which will be given protection under the new plan.
• Commenting in detail on the draft Ecological Assessment carried out by Wold Ecology.
• Reviewing and commenting in detail on a local housing needs assessment compiled by Government appointed consultants, AECOM. This work included obtaining very helpful comments from our liaison planning lead at North Yorkshire Council.  The housing needs assessment is important evidence required to support housing policy in the new plan.
• Reviewing and commenting in detail on a first draft of the introductory sections of a Design Code for the parish, on which we are also working with AECOM consultants. Once finalised the Design Code will form part of the neighbourhood plan and will be subject to the same consultation process.
• Providing regular updates to the Parish Council.
• Preparing for a drop in event in January at which we will share our draft themes and objectives for the new plan and also the work being done for us by AECOM.

Local Estate Agent Survey

Five local estate agents were sent an online survey asking about the local housing market   – both sales and rental.  The online survey was supplemented by the delivery of paper copies and this resulted in returns from all five!  The survey results are available here but particular points of interest include:

• The rural character of the area was the most important factor that drove sales followed by proximity to York and other market towns
• Three bed houses were the most popular for both renting and sales
• Shops and other local facilities were the most important in determining exact location within the area. For sales, off road parking was also a key amenity while having a garden was important for rentals.
• All agreed there was a shortage of smaller properties to buy in Husthwaite.

Parish Business Survey

Twenty two respondents to our parish wide survey last year identified themselves as business owners.  We sent all of these a follow up survey asking for what development they might require to help them prosper in their respective business areas.   We got 14 responses (a 64% response rate).  The survey results are available here but particular points of interest include:

• With one exception, all felt Husthwaite was a good place to run a business
• Many mentioned community spirit and location as factors which were important to them
• Slow internet was the main disadvantage – 6 out of 14 mentioned this.
• There was not much call specifically for more parking or local housing or employees but 8 out 14 thought traffic improvements would be beneficial to businesses generally while 7 out 14 backed a community energy scheme.

Non-designated heritage Assets

Local heritage – whether buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas, historic parks and gardens or other designed landscapes – plays an essential role in building and reinforcing a sense of local character and distinctiveness in the historic environment. All plans are required to set out a positive strategy for the conservation and enjoyment of the historic environment.

Heritage assets are of two types:

1. Designated heritage assets, which are largely designated nationally under the relevant legislation (listed buildings, scheduled monuments, etc.) – there are eight of these in the parish.
2. Non designated heritage assets, which are locally identified as having a degree of heritage significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, but which do not meet the criteria for designated heritage assets.

The Local History Society has very kindly produced a draft ‘Local Heritage List’ for consultation.  Its purpose is to celebrate the breadth of the historic environment of the parish by encompassing the full range of heritage assets that make up the historic environment and ensuring the proper recording of these. The list includes some houses within the village Conservation Area and these are already automatically treated under planning law as non-designated assets but others, such as Throstle Nest Farm, Beacon Banks  and the village’s red pillar boxes do not currently have any protection.

The proposed list will be made available at the drop in event and comments are invited.

Preliminary Ecological Appraisal report

Wold Ecology carried out a desk top survey of the parish in spring 2024 followed by an on-site inspection (by drone) of the green areas in and close to the village. They produced a draft report in July and we have now sent them back some detailed comments and requests for clarification/expansion. We are awaiting the updated draft.

The report will be particularly useful in a) providing a general landscape classification for the parish, b) identifying the different habitat types in and around the village and c) evidence of species types in the same study area. As all development is now required by law to produce a net gain for biodiversity, the report will indicate where further detailed surveys might be required before any development is approved/commenced.

AECOM Housing Needs Assessment

Although there is NO requirement for a neighbourhood plan to allocate sites for housing, we are expected to identify local development requirements, and to address them in our plan where possible.

While there are a number of factors which influence the appropriate location for affordable housing e.g. transport and services, the parish wide survey indicated a strong support for more affordable housing in the village to meet local demand. This reflects a key objective of the Hambleton Plan which was to address the district-wide shortage of housing that is affordable for households on low incomes and first time buyers.

At national level planning policy on this is required to be informed by “a local housing need assessment, conducted using the standard method in national planning practice guidance”, Locality, which administers government funds to support neighbourhood planning, provides expert consultants such as AECOM to carry out these assessments.

The assessment is a desktop study which uses a variety of publicly available data to assess the current supply of low cost and social housing, the average cost of entry level housing and the average household income for the neighbourhood area.  As this is a very small study area, there is not a lot of parish specific data available so the assessment is by necessity somewhat ‘broad brush’.  In particular the low number of house sales each year means that it is not possible to identify a realistic average market price. Therefore, the analysis uses 2022 (where there were 8 sales across a range of property sizes)  to calculate a median price of £272,500 and a lower quartile price of £226,400 (used to estimate entry level prices).   The median price is in line with the current median figure for Hambleton district.

Based on an estimated average household income of £43,200 (in 2020) and a lower quartile income of £18,400, AECOM’s conclusion is that local households on average incomes are unable to purchase entry-level homes unless they have the advantage of a very large deposit.   Their modelling suggests that Husthwaite could see a potential demand for an additional  nine affordable home ownership dwellings over the anticipated plan period of 2025-2036.   AECOM modelling suggests that there will be no significant requirement for additional affordable rental housing in the same period.

This assessment is not part of the new plan but it is important evidence that will support a housing policy that looks to facilitate the development of smaller affordable units.