Our local planning policies are the starting point for considering all planning applications in the National Park. Other aspects that need to be taken into account include National Planning Policy and Guidance; Neighbourhood Plans and material planning considerations.
The Local Plan forms the basis for determining planning applications within the National Park. The National Park Authority is currently reviewing the existing Local Plan with the aim preparing a new one. However, until the new Plan has been adopted the existing Plan remains the statutory plan and will be used to make decisions on development within the National Park. The current Local Plan and further information on the review can be found on the Local Plan page.
A Neighbourhood (Development) Plan enables communities to establish planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood. Certain formal steps have to be taken to comply with the legislation contained in the Localism Act 2011, including independent examination and a local referendum before the plan can be ‘made’ or adopted by the Local Planning Authority and used to guide planning decisions.
Further information on Neighbourhood Planning in Northumberland National Park can be viewed on the Neighbourhood Planning page.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was introduced in 2012 and sets out national planning policies for England. The government has since published online National Planning Practice Guidance to provide further detail on how National Policy should be implemented. Local Plans are required to be fully in accordance with national planning policy and guidance. Both can be viewed on this website.
