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LoPRA - The Third Year Chairman's Report to AGM on 4th October 2007 Since the last AGM, committee members have had full involvement and participation in local affairs which will determine the character and development of the village and the local environment for years to come. Immediate threats of ill considered development may be receding somewhat with the apparently looming economic downturn manifested for example by the Northern Rock affair. The A65 bypass is now history and all that is awaited is the expected detrunking with change of highway authority from the highways agency to NYCC. Times move on and new issues emerge. In the immediate future new issues may not appear to have the same overarching importance as those of the last few years, but there are still changes afoot where not only can a vigilant and informed group like LoPRA help to safeguard the communities interests and environment, but can take advantage of early consultations sought by the authorities in developing their future policies. Your committee and members of LoPRA have in the last 12 months been involved in consultations and meetings with the Craven District Council in the development of the Local Development Framework (now in place) and with the YDNPA in its own LDF development due to be put in place next year. You will recall that the LDF is a government requirement and replaces to the old Local Plan with a framework system allowing local policies to be reviewed and changed as circumstanced require. In many ways this is a sensible thing, but it can also be a threat because it means that constant vigilance and response is required. Previously, one could be confident that the plan would not change during its period of currency. Closely linked with the LDF is the issue of Affordable Housing which can appear in many guises. The most threatening are those concocted by developers simply as a means of opening the door to larger development. Affordable Housing is an essential objective, particularly so in a community such as ours where house prices have risen to match almost any location in the country. LoPRA has been active in investigating and developing schemes of shared equity and the like and has had discussions with the management of Skipton Building Society. We have attended meetings and taken part in the Settle Area Transportation Strategy consultation process and will continue to represent the village’s interests in this. We have monitored the local development of the Pennine Bridleway, and are watching very carefully the progress of the announcements of Post Office Closures. We will vigorously oppose any threat to our own post office and seek the best measures to keep it open. We are also monitoring the development of the Ribble Catchment Area Plan coordinated by the Rivers Authority. This is in an early stage of development with a preliminary information document published and consultation proposed for the future. Coupled with all this we continue to develop strong links with the Parish Council and benefit greatly from Parish Councillor Keith McBride sitting on the LoPRA Committee as a co-opted member. We are always pleased to be asked carry out tasks, carry out research, and prepare reports for, or in support of, the Parish Council. Through our links with the Parochial Church Council, with two members on the LoPRA committee, we have offered, and look forward to helping in the Church bells project and the linked village history project. I should also add that Heather Thomas Smith, our secretay has personally raised £3,000 for the bells fund by her solo walk across Scotland, and I would like to offer my personal congratulations to her on that feat and contribution. We need to ensure that LoPRA continues in its efforts to focus on the interests of the community as a whole and I would like to encourage an interest from younger members of our community so that they can ensure that our efforts and objectives are taken forward.
Sample of Consultations and Responses LoPRA
Local Development Framework
Local Development Framework
In addition we
have been in contact with the Highways Agency, the Post Office, regarding Area
closures, and have responded to the Settle Area Transportation Strategy (NYCC) Click here to find out why LoPRA was formed?
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