Here in the parish of Clapham-cum-Newby, planning decisions are made by Craven District Council and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

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The Localism Act provided a mechanism to give neighbourhoods an early voice in planning decisions being made about their location. That mechanism is called a Neighbourhood Plan. You can read more about what a Plan is and what it can do here.

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Parishes don’t have to have a Neighbourhood Plan – but it’s a good idea if they do as they provide clear direction on what the community believes is, and is not, appropriate development.