Tom Gordon MP challenges Labour Government on careless approach to local government reorganisation

Today, 15th January, Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has criticised the Labour Government for imposing new housing targets on North Yorkshire Council, ignoring an agreement made during its recent local government reorganisation.  

The agreement, which granted North Yorkshire Council five years to develop a county-wide local plan, was made by the previous government after North Yorkshire Council experienced a major transition in 2023, replacing its two-tier system with a single unitary authority.

Labour’s new housing targets under the National Planning Policy Framework abandon this agreement, disregarding North Yorkshire’s unique challenges.

Without a local plan, Harrogate, Knaresborough, and other areas in the county could face a wave of speculative planning applications, leaving communities exposed to unplanned development. Harrogate and Knaresborough, as particularly desirable areas, are especially vulnerable to this pressure. However, as Tom highlighted, housing must be built where it is needed, not simply where we want them or where it is most profitable to develop.

In Parliament today, Tom Gordon made the reality of the impact local government reorganisation in North Yorkshire clear to the Minister. He asked whether councils undergoing reorganisation would receive transitional support or be left exposed like North Yorkshire. He also asked to meet with the Minister to unpack this issue further.

The minister’s response was very poor. He failed to recognise that due to the 2023 local government reorganisation, North Yorkshire Council has not had the opportunity to develop a local plan before being confronted with new housing targets. Moreover, he also refused to admit that the Government is reneging on agreements made during the Local Government reorganisation.

Tom will continue working with North Yorkshire Council leaders to push the government to honour the five years that NY Council were initially granted to develop a new local plan for the county.

Commenting, Tom said:

‘It is shocking that the Labour Government are just completely ignoring the fact that North Yorkshire Council were given 5 years to develop a new local plan for the county. This timeline was set up by the previous government for a reason – North Yorkshire Council needed adequate time to navigate the challenges of reorganisation and create a comprehensive plan for the county.

‘It is also important to note that as North Yorkshire Council covers the largest area in the country, it is no small task developing a plan for this vast area.

‘Overriding this agreement and imposing new housing targets on North Yorkshire Council is both careless and irresponsible, showing a clear disregard for the realities on the ground.

‘Moving forward, I will continue pushing the Government to recognise North Yorkshire Council’s situation and provide the support needed to protect our communities from chaotic, unplanned development.’

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