The high standard of living in a spa town is causing problems for residents, according to a report.

The Harrogate district's first community plan said the high number of well-paid professionals and retired people in the town has pushed up house prices.

The plans states that high prices have created an acute shortage of affordable homes for people on lower incomes, particularly in rural areas.

Producing a community plan is a government requirement and the Harrogate document has been written by Harrogate District Strategic Partnership.

The plan sets out the future for residential and industrial development in the area and will look at the standard of living of residents.

It states that while average earnings are comparable to regional levels, there is a problem for many people because house prices are so much higher than the rest of the region.

The report said: "The housing situation has the effect of driving younger elements of the population out of the district."

Because young people and low income earners are being forced out of the district, it is leading to an increasing labour shortage in lower paid jobs.

Other young people are leaving the area to go into higher education and are failing to return.

Consultation will now be carried out to make changes to the plan before it is submitted for approval.