Masham residents to get more say over planning matters

People in Masham are to be given a greater say over new developments in the area in order to protect the historic market town’s character.Harrogate Borough Council is set to approve a request from Masham Parish Council to create a Neighbourhood Area, covering the whole of the parish.Under the terms of the Localism Act, the borough must grant the designation, which will see the parish given more control over commercial and residential developments.The Neighbourhood Area will allow the parish council to create a Neighbourhood Plan, which means it will be able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead.The parish council says that the designation will help to protect the town and the major employers that are based there.Masham is home to two national breweries, Theakston’s and Black Sheep and part of the reason to take the extra protection is to help provide room for expansion of these and other firms.The Neighbourhood Area will cover the entire area governed by Masham Parish Council which includes the wards of Masham, Burton-on-Yore, Ellington High & Low and Swinton with Warthermarske.Masham will not be the first location in the borough to get the designation, Knaresborough was given made a Neighbourhood Area in 2013.