The green fields of North Yorkshire could have a safer future under Government guidelines designed to preserve them from undue development.

Fewer new homes will be built on greenfield sites under a blueprint designed to last for up to 20 years.

There is also the prospect of a general cut in the rate of housing growth in North Yorkshire.

But in a move to stem the flow of young people out of the rural county, more new homes will be designed to be affordable.

Support for better public transport and encouragement for new ways of life in the Selby Coalfield and the region's rural and coastal areas are also aims of the blueprint.

And the regional planning guidance for Yorkshire and the Humber also takes account of recent severe flooding in advice to future developers.

The document was published for consultation by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and identifies a broad development strategy for the whole of the region over the next 15 to 20 years.

The main features affecting North Yorkshire include the following:

*Housing growth is to be reduced from an annual average of more than 3,000 to 2,500.

* An ambitious 53 per cent of this housing is expected to be built on previously developed land within existing urban areas and market towns, significantly reducing the emphasis on developing greenfield land.

* The Selby Coalfield is included as a 'priority one' area for regeneration, with the coast and uplands earmarked as 'priority two' areas.

* Greater attention is to be focused on providing housing that is affordable to local people.

* Provision of employment land is expected to be focused on the main urban areas and market towns.

* Green belts in North Yorkshire are anticipated to remain substantially unchanged.

* Greater emphasis is to be placed on public transport and other alternatives to the car, but there is recognition of the limitations of this approach in rural areas.

* Specific guidance will be given on development in areas with high flood risk.

North Yorkshire County Council welcomed the guidance document, which it said supported many of its existing policy objectives.

Phil Lawson, head of environmental policy development, said the guidance would have a "significant influence on the preparation of development plans, local transport plans and the investment strategies of all public and private agencies."

The final rural planning guidance is expected to be published this summer, following consultation with local authorities.

It will provide the framework for developing policies and proposals in the North Yorkshire structure plan being prepared jointly by the county council, City of York Council and the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authorities.

Updated: 09:58 Thursday, April 19, 2001