The community of Whitby is being called upon to help steer the town’s development over the next fifteen years as a major public consultation on the draft Whitby Neighbourhood Plan comes to a close at the end of January.
A Neighbourhood Plan is a community-led initiative introduced by the Localism Act 2011, allowing residents to establish general planning policies for the use and development of land in their area. Once "made" or adopted, it becomes a legal part of the planning framework, meaning North Yorkshire Council will be legally required to use its policies when determining planning applications within the parish up until 2040. The plan has been prepared by a Steering Group of local volunteers and town councillors, who assert that while the document cannot stop development, it ensures growth occurs in a way that is "appropriate for the parish".
At the heart of the proposal is a vision to maintain a vibrant harbour and provide high-quality, affordable homes for residents. The plan highlights significant demographic challenges, noting that while the housing stock increased by 935 units between 2011 and 2021, the actual population declined slightly. Research by consultants AECOM indicates that as many as 44.5% of residences in Whitby are non-primary homes, contributing to a situation where local house prices are often out of reach for those on average earnings.
To address this, one of the plan’s most striking recommendations is the Principal Residence Policy (WBY4). This policy proposes that all new open market housing should be restricted to use as a primary home, specifically excluding new second homes and holiday lets. The Steering Group explains that such measures are intended to "bring greater balance and mixture to the local housing market".
Beyond housing, the draft plan makes several key recommendations for the town's infrastructure and environment:
- It identifies 29 Local Green Spaces for protection, including Pannett Park, Abbey Plain, and Stakesby Vale, treating them with the same protection as green belt land.
- It proposes a multi-modal transport hub at the existing Park and Ride to reduce town centre congestion.
- It seeks to protect non-designated heritage assets that are locally significant, such as the Whalebone Arch, Metropole Towers, and the Festival of Britain Cross.
- It supports the redevelopment of brownfield sites, including the Whitby Hospital and former Eskdale School sites, for community-focused uses like extra-care housing or a community hub.
Whitby Town Council is encouraging everyone with an interest in the town to review the documents. "Neighbourhood Plans enable local people to have a say in how their area grows and develops," the document states, emphasising the importance of community feedback.
Members of the public can view the full DRAFT Whitby Neighbourhood Plan online at: https://www.whitbytowncouncil.gov.uk/uploads/wnp-pre-submission-consultation-version-december-2025.pdf.
Hard copies are also available for inspection at Whitby Library, Flowergate Hall, and the Eastside Community Centre. All comments must be submitted in writing by midnight on Friday 30th January 2026. Responses can be sent via email to whitbynplan@gmail.com, through a web-form on the Whitby Community Network website at https://www.whitbycommunitynetwork.org/whitby-neighbourhood-plan-draft-consultation/, or by post to the Whitby Town Council offices at Pannett Park.
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