Uredale Community Partnership
Focus and Impact
Uredale Community Partnership brings together public, private, community and voluntary sectors across Ripon and surrounding rural communities to tackle shared priorities through practical, joined-up action.
Following a comprehensive review of existing research, census data and workshops in 2024, the following working groups were formed: Housing, Connectivity (Digital and Transport), Culture and Green Space, Youth and Community Cohesion and Access to Services.
Last updated: January 2026 Snapshot: 5 working groups · 80 people on the partnership mailing list · 50+ organisations
Partnership Focus
Engaging in North Yorkshire Investment Plans
North Yorkshire Council is developing a Ripon Investment Plan as part of a county-wide programme across 32 towns, to help target future funding bids around local priorities. UCP is supporting this work by bringing partners together, sharing local insight from across Ripon and the wider Uredale area, and helping to align activity around the emerging priorities.
Following initial engagement with residents, businesses and stakeholders, the Investment Plan is being shaped around several emerging themes:
- Economic vitality and business support: ideas to strengthen infrastructure, skills and affordable workspace.
- Culture, heritage and green spaces: protecting what makes Ripon special, improving access to green space, and supporting cultural activity.
- Transport and connectivity: improving links, walking and cycling routes, and options that support access to services and the evening economy.
- Young people, health, wellbeing and access to services: strengthening facilities, tackling isolation and improving coordination between providers.
What this means in practice for Uredale
Local ideas and evidence are being turned into clear, fundable priorities, with partners working together to get projects ready to deliver.
Next step
We are waiting to hear from NYC on the dates for consultation on the draft plan (September 2026)
Further information
Read more on the vision for North Yorkshire on the NYC website. Masham (within Uredale) has also started consultation on a TIP.
Engaging with Business & Employers
Housing Working Group
The Housing Working Group focuses on practical, locally-led solutions to improve the availability of homes that meet local need across Ripon and surrounding rural communities.
Group lead: David Ingham, Community representative
Community-led housing: a practical guide for parishes
Impact: The Housing Working Group has written a practical guide to community-led and affordable housing for parish and town councils. It explains what the new National Planning Policy Framework (2026) means for rural communities. The new framework gives clearer national support to community-led housing, rural exception sites and local housing need backed by evidence. A small scheme of a few affordable homes could make a real difference to the future of a village.
Next: The group has written to every parish and town council in Uredale, encouraging them to look at their local housing need, even if they don’t yet have a site. The group can help with information, planning advice and introductions to North Yorkshire Council’s Housing Enablers. It can also arrange visits to an existing community-led housing scheme.
North Yorkshire Local Plan: making Uredale's case
Impact: UCP has already responded to the North Yorkshire Local Plan and national planning policy consultations. Its responses called for genuinely affordable homes, community-led housing, accessibility standards, design quality and action on land banking. The group is now planning how the whole partnership can feed into the next stage, including transport links through the Connectivity Working Group.
Next: Invite North Yorkshire Council’s Local Plan Policy Team to talk to the group, then prepare UCP’s response for the next consultation.
Homes for Ripon: making the most of small sites
Impact: The group has begun looking at housing in Ripon. The sites already put forward through North Yorkshire Council’s call for sites are one route. The group thinks it can be more useful by looking for smaller opportunities: micro-sites, infill, renovating historic buildings and turning space above shops into homes.
Next: Work with local councils and civic groups to start updating the Ripon City Plan.
Clotherholme Development
Impact: UCP has met Homes England to discuss Clotherholme, including a joint visit to a recent Ripon development. The Section 106 agreement is now signed, with some items deferred. UCP has asked to be involved in decisions on the type, size and location of affordable homes, and in discussions on services, sport, heritage, education, skills and active travel.
Next: Agree UCP’s priorities for the deferred Section 106 items, and keep working with Homes England and North Yorkshire Council before building starts.
Accessibility standards pushed up the agenda
Impact: The group continues to push for new homes to meet M4(2) accessible and adaptable standards. A site visit to a recent development found that buyers could not easily get information about accessible homes. That strengthens the case for clearer standards and better information at the point of sale.
Next: Keep accessibility at the heart of UCP’s input on Clotherholme and the Local Plan.
Transport Working Group
The Transport Working Group brings partners together to improve everyday connections, including access to work, education, health appointments and services, particularly for rural villages.
Group lead: Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Masham and Fountains Division
Community transport: local provision developing
Impact: Work is underway to understand demand for community-led transport, including access to education, training, local services and events, with emerging models combining volunteer drivers, shared vehicles and scheduled services.
Next: Refine the delivery model and explore how provision can be coordinated and scaled across Uredale, including sharing learning between local schemes.
Bus routes: partnership voice mobilised
Impact: Partner input is being gathered to identify priority routes across Uredale, including improved links to rail connections, early and late services, and better integration between towns and villages.
Next: Confirm priority routes and progress collective engagement with the Mayoral Combined Authority to influence future service planning and investment.
Active travel: route planning progressing
Impact: Progress is being made on priority walking and cycling routes, including the Ripon to Fountains Abbey route, alongside wider discussions on improving pedestrian access and connectivity across the area.
Next: Confirm preferred routes and support the development of deliverable schemes, with a focus on securing funding and prioritising high-impact sections.
S106 contributions: pushing for transparency
Impact: Work is underway to build a clearer picture of Section 106 funding linked to local development, including how contributions could support transport and infrastructure priorities.
Next: Continue enquiries and engagement with partners to improve visibility of allocations and strengthen the case for investment in local priorities.
Digital Connectivity Working Group
The Digital Connectivity Working Group tackles rural connectivity challenges, helping residents and businesses evidence issues and pursue practical improvements to coverage and access.
Group lead: Cllr Felicity Cunliffe-Lister, Masham and Fountains
Smart meter connectivity: practical fixes shared
Impact: Residents facing smart meter signal issues are being supported with guidance on alternative connections, with Parish Councils helping identify those affected.
Next: Capture cases and escalate to the relevant bodies for resolution
Mobile ‘not-spots’: collective lobbying agreed
Impact: Action has been agreed to lobby on mobile coverage gaps, using a collective voice and rural networks to strengthen influence.
Next: Coordinate letters and share evidence from affected areas.
Digital Connectivity Fact Sheet
Impact: The Digital Connectivity Fact Sheet provides residents with clear guidance on smart meter signal issues and alternative connection options, helping individuals understand what action they can take and where to seek support.
Next: Continue to gather local feedback and case studies through use of the fact sheet, and escalate key issues to the relevant providers and agencies to support resolution
Youth & Community Cohesion Working Group
The Youth & Community Cohesion Working Group works with young people and local organisations to strengthen belonging, improve access to opportunities, and shape youth-friendly places and services.
Group lead: Joanne Thackwray, Power of 10 / Harrogate and District Community Action
Youth voice fed into place planning
Impact: A workshop with local groups, including the Youth Council, captured youth priorities and fed them into wider place planning discussions.
Next: Turn insights into a short delivery plan and practical next steps
Youth communications made more visible
Impact: Youth noticeboards have been installed at Ripon Outwood and the Library, improving visibility of opportunities.
Next: Build a joined-up approach to keeping information fresh and relevant.
Evidence of demand gathered quickly
Impact: A Youth Council survey received 100+ responses, highlighting demand for youth clubs and central community spaces.
Next: Use findings to shape proposals and strengthen funding applications.
Youth and community hub model advanced
Impact: A trial model for a youth and community hub in Ripon is being explored, with a premises search underway and support provided for related funding activity.
Next: Confirm viable premises options and refine the pilot offer.
Access to Services Working Group
The Access to Services Working Group focuses on improving everyday access to local support and services across Ripon and surrounding rural communities.
Group leads: Cllr Barbara Brodigan, Ripon Ure Bank & Spa Division and Dr Frances Cole, Living Well with Pain
Workshopping ideas
Focus: The group is currently developing and refining practical ideas to improve access to local services across Ripon and surrounding rural communities.
Next: Prioritise actions and agree delivery partners for the first set of pilots.
Culture & Green Space Working Group
The Culture & Green Space Working Group brings together cultural, heritage and environmental partners to identify gaps, share priorities and shape collaborative action across the Uredale area.
Group lead: Currently vacant