This page provides details on a range of studies and background information relevant to informing planning applications and which may also be of value to other organisations and communities.
Government guidance establishes a standardised methodology for calculating the minimum Local Housing Need, based on the latest official Office of National Statistics population and household projections (updated every two years) and affordability ratios of average house prices compared to earnings (updated annually). The Housing and Economic Growth Options report examines alternative economic growth scenarios for the County’s employment land requirements and the corresponding levels of housing requirements that would be necessary to support the increased population and numbers of households. The Report was prepared to inform the preparation of the Northumberland Local Plan.
The Employment Land and Premises Demand Study reviewed the market demand for land and premises for industrial, office and warehouse development across Northumberland. The recommended changes to the employment land portfolio in the employment land review (2011) were reviewed in relation to the evidence in the report and new recommendations made where appropriate. Many of these been taken forward in the Northumberland Local Plan.
The Employment Sites Schedule is part of a regular monitoring exercise undertaken by the County Council’s Planning Policy team. Information is based on the monitoring of sites allocated for employment purposes in the Northumberland Local Plan or Neighbourhood Plans, (based on a year-end date of 31st March). (NB Historic data includes information on sites that were previously allocated in older district plans). The information provided includes the site allocation itself, and plots and units within each site. Included are details on occupiers, vacancies, floorspace and site, unit and plot size. The schedule can be viewed by as a PDF file containing the tables for each of the sites or using an online mapping tool. Details are as follows:
An analysis report of the data included in the Employment Sites Schedule is also available. View the Employment Site Schedule 2016/17 - Analysis Report (Published March 2018).
The information in the studies and their conclusions reflect the position at the time that the studies were prepared. While the town centre health check and ‘bench marking’ reports are dated, some more up-to-date town centre information may be found on the Economy and Regeneration pages.
The Council promotes a healthy eating policy in line with Government initiatives to tackle the obesity crisis. As a result, the Local Plan places certain restrictions on new hot food takeaways. Parts 1 (a) and 1 (b) of Policy TCS 6 restrict the development of new hot food takeaways in towns and electoral divisions where there are above average Primary School children overweight or where there is already a proliferation of takeaways. This paper identifies the geographies affected by these restrictions.
The Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment looks at the needs for sites and accommodation for gypsies and travellers pitches and travelling showpeople plots in Northumberland.
Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showperson Accommodation Needs Assessment (March 2022)
The Council has committed to preparing a dedicated Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Local Plan to reflect the evidence and requirements identified in this GTTSANA. View further information about the Northumberland Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Local Plan (GTTSLP). View further information about Gypsy and Traveller sites in Northumberland.
For the purposes of the Local Plan's Policy HOU 10 primary occupancy restrictions, the list of parishes to which they currently apply is summarised in this note. It will be updated once the Census 2021 parish-level data has been published.
Correction notes for Strategy and Action Plan
Please not that on page 81, at paragraph 6.3.4 of the Action Plan and Strategy document, it incorrectly refers to Northumberland Council's Regulation 123 list. This is an erroneous reference. No such list exists, as Northumberland is not currently a Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Authority.
Please also note that on page 84 at paragraph 6.7.2 reference is made 'No more than five contributions may be pooled towards the provision of any single infrastructure project or type of infrastructure'. This was correct at the time of development of this document but changes to regulations since this time mean it is no longer applicable.
If you would like further information on planning policy in Northumberland, please contact the Planning Policy Team on planningstrategy@northumberland.gov.uk
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