Western Parish Forum

The next meeting of the Western Area Parish Forum will be held on Tuesday, 22 October 2024 at 7.15 pm at Coxwold Village Hall.

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Notes of the meeting held on Thursday, 9 May 2024

1. Welcome – Malcolm Bowes welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies
3. Notes of the Meeting Held on 24 October 2023 were agreed.
4. Public Question Time – Forestry England installation of parking meters, cameras and barriers on Clay Bank and other car parks:

Chris France indicated that the principle of charging is a matter for Forestry England (FE) and there are notices in the car park indicating why charging has been implemented. FE do have permitted development rights but to allow small structures up to 4m in height (the pole is 5m), the signage is excessive, and Chris France will get in touch with FE on this. FE have indicated that they hadn’t carried out a public consultation and apologised for that. Any comments or enquiries to be directed to FE who will arrange visits/discussions if required yorkshire.FDO@forestryengland.uk

Action: Chris France to contact Forestry England to discuss the pole height and excessive signage.

5. Pollinators – Rachel Richards from B-line/Buglife gave an illustrated presentation on the Beelines Coast to Coast project connecting habitats. Parish councils and residents are encouraged to participate in the project and to add areas of land to the map. Find out more by heading to the Coast to Coast B-Line webpage. For further information contact rachel.richards@buglife.org.uk
6. Design Code – Paul Fellows gave an illustrated talk on the consultation on the Design Code details of which will be sent to Parish Councils for their views on how the Design Code will look and function, as this will be used in considering planning applications and hoped that this will not stifle design and be too prescriptive. The consultation will be on the website with video clips about villages on YouTube to give ideas and show the uniqueness of each village. Head to the Design Code webpage. 
7. Ranger update – Ben Jackson gave an update on work done in the southern ranger area. Discussions around water damage together with 4x4 and motorbike usage of tracks. It is a challenge to prevent damage but everyone is encouraged to report illegal use to the police on 101. Wild camping was also discussed, there is no right to camp. We are working with landowners and can put up signage but again important to take photos where safe to do so and report to the police.
8. Update on National Park Authority Business by Malcolm Bowes, Parish Member:  A printed update sheet was provided to attendees. Malcolm highlighted Grants, Local Nature Recovery Strategy, Danby Lodge play area, Newton under Roseberry car park and footpaths improvements, affordable housing – encourage landowners to offer land for exception sites in villages to contact the National Park, second homes and holiday lets.

Chris France indicated that a paper is going to Planning Committee considering the government announcement to bring holiday lets into the planning system. However, change of use is permitted development so the implementation of Article 4 directions is the only solution. It will take several years before this takes effect which may be too late for some villages.

9. Suggestions for items to discuss at future meetings: None suggested but please contact j.seaton@northyorkmoors.org.uk with any ideas.