Yorkshire context
Yorkshire Dales National Park
The short answer
Inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the National Park Authority — not the district council — is the planning authority. Properties inside the park aren't all subject to the same controls: listing, conservation areas and Article 4 directions still vary.
Last reviewed September 2026 · General guidance, not legal advice
Check which side of the boundary you're on
The boundary runs close to several towns — Skipton, for example, is outside, while Grassington is inside. The park was extended in 2016, so older assumptions may be wrong.
What the Authority looks at
The Authority publishes design guidance for the Dales. Traditional buildings, barns and prominent landscape settings tend to receive the closest attention.
Traditional and contemporary
Both traditional and carefully designed contemporary approaches can be appropriate, depending on the building. Neither is automatically acceptable.