Northumberland National Park Authority has recently undertaken a review of the Local Plan, which was adopted on 15th July 2020. This Local Plan replaces all policies in the Core Strategy (2009).
An Examination into the Local Plan was undertaken prior to adoption, details of which including the Inspector’s Report can be found on the Local Plan Examination page.
The Local Plan is a document containing planning policies which guide the development and use of land in the National Park. Policies within the Local Plan also have clear links to the Northumberland National Park Management Plan. These policies are used to inform decisions on planning applications and appeals. Northumberland National Park Authority is responsible for preparing, monitoring, implementing and reviewing the Local Plan.
Local planning authorities (including National Park Authorities) are required to produce a Local Plan which has to be fully in accordance with national planning policy and guidance.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was first introduced in 2012 and sets out national planning policies for England. The government has since revised the NPPF with the latest version being published in February 2019. The online Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) provides detail on how the NPPF should be implemented and can be viewed on this website.
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These policies, adopted in July 2020, guide development within the National Park and are used in the determination of planning applications.
Local Plan – PDF File
Northumberland National Park Local Plan 2017 – 2037 Policies Map – PDF File
Northumberland National Park Local Plan 2017 – 2037 Interactive Policies Map – interactive version
These provide detailed guidance on specific issues or areas. The Northumberland National Park Local Plan contains three adopted Supplementary Planning Documents:
The Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (2011) – PDF
The Landscape Supplementary Planning Document (2011) – PDF
Otterburn Camp Supplementary Planning Document (2007) – PDF
There is a Landscape Character Assessment which is also referred to in decision making:
The Statement of Community Involvement outlines how the National Park Authority will involve local communities and other stakeholders in developing policy documents which have an impact on the National Park and in making decisions on planning applications.
The Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) adopted its current Statement of Community Involvement on 20th September 2017. You can view this document via the link below.
NNPA Statement of Community Involvement 2017 – PDF File
This is the production timetable outlining what documents will be produced and when.
Northumberland National Park Authority Local Development Scheme 2018-2020 – PDF File
Northumberland National Park Authority Local Development Scheme 2017-2019 – PDF File
