Agenda item

To provide an update to the Committee on the recommendations laid out in the former Craven District Council’s review of the impact of tourism on the Craven district.

Vicky Davies of Democratic Services presented a report updating the Committee on

the recommendations from the former Craven District Council’s review of tourism

impacts. The following issues were highlighted:-

 

·       The review was requested at the Committee’s meeting on 12 December 2024.

·       Craven’s scrutiny reviews were handed to North Yorkshire Council post reorganisation.

·       A Destination Management Plan (DMP) was adopted in October 2024, superseding Craven’s local strategies.

·       The DMP provides a strategic framework for tourism across North Yorkshire and is reviewed annually.

·       Craven’s Original Recommendations key points included:

 

-        Planning authorities to consider tourism’s impact on infrastructure and communities.

-        Review of the no litter bins policy by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

-        Joint stakeholder approach to parking issues in honeypot destinations.

-        Continued use of Safety Advisory Group powers for large events.

-        Promotion of multi-agency partnerships to address community issues.

-        Improved engagement by the National Park Authority with affected parishes.

-        Greater on-site management by park rangers.

-        Business Support to promote the review’s recommendations.

-        Continued promotion of greener travel and lobbying for better public transport.

 

Progress and Updates

-        Local Plan Consultation (19 May – 15 July 2025) includes tourism related policies.

-        Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 allows a 100% council tax premium on second homes from April 2025.

-        Parish Liaison Team reports minimal issues raised about litter or antisocial behaviour.

-        Waste Management Service has not received tourism-related complaints; general litter issues are being addressed.

-        Parking Strategy is under development, including stakeholder consultation and a framework of 20 principles.

-        North Yorkshire Police successfully reduced post-Covid anti-social behaviour in Upper Wharfedale through partnership working.-

-        Following the publication of the report an update was received from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority addressing a number of issues within the report. This was circulated to Members prior to the meeting.

 

Members discussion of the report highlighted the following issues:-

 

·       Engagement with local communities, key stakeholders and visitors was required to determine what the issues were, where they were situated and how they should be addressed.

·       Representatives of Visit North Yorkshire should be invited to a subsequent meeting of the Area Committee to discuss tourism funding and how this could be utilised to address some of the issues outlined.

·       The management of events was vital to the protection of local communities from the issues highlighted and in some areas this was working well.

·       Issues relating to bad car parking, litter, ant-social behaviour and congestion were highlighted.

·       Details were provided in respect of issues in Upper Wharfedale and Horton-in Ribblesdale, and the difficulties created in those areas.

·       Previously, the District Council had formed a task and finish group to consider the concerns and managing the numbers of visitors coming into specific locations was amajor issue highlighted.

·       The co-ordination of parking at those peak visitor areas was imperative.

·       Whilst tourism was welcomed to the area the concerns of local residents had to be taken account of.

·       The issue of litter and the current policy of the National Park Authority not to provide litter bins within the Park’s boundary were discussed. Members had conflicting views with some suggesting that the policy needed to be changed in view of the litter issues within the major visitor areas, whereas other Members stated that the removal of litter was the responsibility of the Council not the Park Authority. A Member highlighted the problems created in specific local communities, with litter, when events took place and the impact that this had. It was considered appropriate that representatives of Visit North Yorkshire and the National Park Authority be invited to a subsequent meeting of the Committee to further discuss this and the other issues.

·       It was suggested that the development of an effective public transport plan would assist with the number of vehicles descending on certain locations.

·       A Member emphasised that one of the main purposes of the National Park Authority was to promote the enjoyment of nature for those visiting the area, however, another Member highlighted how the tranquillity of the area was often disturbed by visitors and some responsibility for managing that should be borne by the National Park Authority.

·       It was concluded that the need for a multi-agency approach to the issues highlighted was required for those to be effectively addressed.

 

Resolved -

       i.         That representatives of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Visit North Yorkshire be invited to a subsequent meeting of the Committee to further discuss the issues raised;

     ii.         That a relevant officer be invited to a subsequent meeting of the Committee to further explain the Destination Management Plan,

    iii.         That the contents of the update, and the issues raised, be noted.