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What is Neighbourhood Planning?

Neighbourhood planning was introduced through the Localism Act in 2011 and gives communities the opportunity to shape and define how their area should grow and change in the future.

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 adopted by the Local Planning Authority and used to guide planning decisions.

In Northumberland National Park, this must be led by parish councils. There are 30 parish councils covering Northumberland National Park and all include at least some land which lies within Northumberland County Council’s Planning Authority. In most cases, therefore, communities wishing to pursue a Neighbourhood Plan will require support from both Planning Authorities. Information on Neighbourhood Planning at Northumberland County Council can be found here.

Current applications for Neighbourhood Areas

The designation of a neighbourhood area is the first formal stage in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan (see the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012).

There are no pending Neighbourhood Area applications in the Northumberland National Park.

Area Designations

Find out more about the areas designated for neighbourhood planning.

Tarset and Greystead Neighbourhood Area

Withdrawal

Tarset and Greystead Parish Council informed Northumberland National Park Authority and Northumberland County Council of the withdrawal of the Tarset and Greystead Neighbourhood Development Plan from examination on 20 January 2017. Consequently, the plan will not be proceeding to a referendum.

Independent Examination

An independent examination of the Tarset and Greystead Neighbourhood Development Plan was completed in January 2016. Northumberland National Park Authority subsequently engaged in discussions with the Parish Council and Northumberland County Council in deciding whether the plan should progress to a referendum.

Mid-Coquetdale Neighbourhood Area

Area Designation

Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) has designated the Mid-Coquetdale Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of Neighbourhood Planning under Section 61G(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). Rothbury Parish Council has been recognised as the ‘Relevant Body’ to undertake the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan on behalf of themselves, Cartington Parish Council, Thropton Parish Council and Whitton and Tosson Parish Council. The Parish Council has established a steering group to oversee the preparation of their Neighbourhood Development Plan.

The application letters and maps can be viewed below:

Documents relating to the neighbourhood area designation can be viewed below:

Plan progress update – May 2017

In May 2017, the Steering Group decided to postpone progressing with the Neighbourhood Plan until the examination of the Northumberland Local Plan Core Strategy is concluded. You can find information in relation to the Core Strategy examination on Northumberland County Council’s website here.

Plan progress update – February 2018

As of 14th February 2018, the Parish Councils of Rothbury, Cartington, Thropton and Whitton and Tosson informed NCC and NNPA of their decision to cease work on the Mid Coquetdale Neighbourhood Plan and disband the Steering Group. The area will remain designated as a neighbourhood area, which would mean work on a neighbourhood plan for the designated area could recommence at a future date should the Parish Councils wish to do so.

Wooler Neighbourhood Area

Area Designation

Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) has designated the Wooler Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of Neighbourhood Planning under Section 61G(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended). The preparation of a Neighbourhood Development Plan will be steered by Wooler Parish Council.

The Authority’s decision only relates to the part of the Neighbourhood Area which is within the National Park boundary. The remaining part of the Neighbourhood Area lies within the administrative area of Northumberland County Council and the decision to designate that part of the area has been made by that Authority.

The application letters and maps can be viewed below:

Documents relating to the neighbourhood area designation can be viewed below:

Further information on the draft Neighbourhood Development Plan and how it is progressing can be found on the Wooler Neighbourhood Plan website at: http://www.woolerneighbourhoodplan.org/