Studies and evidence reports

The Northumberland green belt review sets out the Council’s approach to assessing how areas of the existing and proposed green belt contribute to green belt purposes, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The review has been amended to reflect feedback received. The green belt review complements the strategic land review, strategic housing land availability appraisal and sustainability appraisal documents. Click here to view the Northumberland Local Plan Core Strategy Green Belt Review 2015.

This report sets out the background, methodology and emerging approach in relation to defining the detailed outer green belt boundaries for the extension around Morpeth. Click here to view Morpeth Outer Green Belt Boundary Report (October 2013).

Policies STP 8, STP 9 and STP 10 of the Northumberland Local Plan - Draft Plan for Regulation 18 Consultation set out the proposed approach to the Green Belt in Northumberland and identify the revised boundaries of the Green Belt, as defined on the Policies Map. This paper provides a summary of the Green Belt Review process undertaken and outlines the rationale supporting changes that are proposed to the Green Belt. Click here to view the Green Belt Review Technical Paper (July 2018).

Policy STP 1 of the Northumberland Local Plan - Draft Plan for Regulation 18 Consultation sets out a spatial strategy to deliver sustainable development across Northumberland. Key elements of this strategy are a settlement hierarchy and the definition of settlement boundaries, defined on the policies map. This paper provides some background information regarding the spatial strategy to justify the approach taken. Click here to view the Settlement Strategy Technical Paper (July 2018).

The Town Centres and Retail Study looks at town centre and retail uses across Northumberland to assess the vitality and viability of the town centres, identify town centre and primary shopping area boundaries, alongside assess where new retail floor space is required. Below are the original and updated studies:


Northumberland Town Centre and Retail Study 2011 (Original)

The Employment Land Review (ELR) assesses the demand and supply of land for employment use in the county. It comprises of the following documents:
 

• Northumberland Employment Land Review (January 2011)
• Northumberland Employmemt Land Review Update (October 2013)

The Employment Land & Premises Demand Study is a review of 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. Click here to view the Employment Land and Premises Demand Study (July 2015).

The Employment Land Take-Up Study reviews take up of land on allocated employment sites for industrial, office and warehousing development, and the use of land for other commercial operations or non-employment land uses. Click here to view the Employment Land Take Up Study 1999-2017 (Published March 2018).

The Employment Sites Schedule is part of a regular monitoring exercise undertaken annually by the County Council’s Spatial Planning & Delivery team. Information is based on sites monitored within the former district/borough Local Plans, Core Strategies and those allocated more recently in 'made' Neighbourhood Development Plans (based on a year end date of 31st March). This data 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 of containing the tables for each of the sites or using an online mapping tool. Details are as follow:

Click here to view the Employment Site Schedule 2016/17 (Published March 2018).
Click here to view the Mapping Tool for the Employment Sites Schedule 2016/17 (Published March 2018).

An analysis report of the data included in the Employment Sites Schedule is also available. Click here to view the Employment Site Schedule 2016/17 - Analysis Report (Published March 2018).

The Individual Town Benchmarking Reports and Summary Report assesses the health of twelve town centres. It was carried on behalf of outside agencies but is no longer published elsewhere. Below are the list of reports from the study:
 

• Alnwick Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Amble Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Ashington Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Bedlington Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Berwick-upon-Tweed Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Blyth Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Cramlington Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Haltwhistle Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Hexham Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Morpeth Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Ponteland Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Prudhoe Market Town Benchmarking Report
• Northumberland Summary Market Town Benchmarking Report

Below are the list of technical background papers for economy and retail studies for the Northumberland Local Plan:

• Employment land site option appraisal for selected towns (July 2018) - Introduction and methodology
• Prudhoe
• Hexham
• Morpeth
• Ponteland

• Technical Background Paper - Assessment of employment sites (July 2018)
• Technical Background Paper - Policy approach for town centres (July 2018)
• Technical Background Paper - Planning for hot food takeaways (July 2018)

The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) provides information about potential future sources of land for housing in Northumberland. It identifies sites with potential for housing, assesses the sites with housing potential and assesses their suitability for housing and the likelihood of development coming forward in the future (the availability and achievability).

The SHLAA is not a policy document and, therefore, does not determine whether a site should be allocated for housing, or granted planning permission. It informs the Council’s five year supply of deliverable sites, and identifies the potential supply of housing land over the next 15 years and beyond.

SHLAA Interim Update (June 2018)

• Northumberland SHLAA Interim Report (June 2018)
• Appendix A – Draft SHLAA Summary Sites Assessment Schedule (PDF version) (MS Excel version)
• Appendix B – Draft SHLAA Sites Proximity Analysis (PDF version) (MS Excel version)

The location and provisional assessment of all interim draft SHLAA sites can be viewed using the Council’s online Digital Map System. 

Comments on the draft updated SHLAA site assessments are invited until 15 August 2018. A full updated SHLAA and five-year supply of deliverable sites report will then be published later in the Autumn.

The previous Northumberland SHLAA (February 2017) covered the period 2016-2031 and comprised the following documents:

• Northumberland SHLAA Report (February 2017)
• Appendix 1 - SHLAA Partnership
• Appendix 2 - SHLAA Panel
• Appendix 3 - Consultation Form
• Appendix 4 - Sieved sites (Category 1)
• Appendix 5 - Sieved sites (Greenfield)
• Appendix 6 - Sieved sites (NCC)
• Appendix 7 - Deliverable and developable sites
• Appendix 8 - Sites not currently developable

For all large SHLAA sites, the location and the assessment can be viewed using the Council’s Digital Map System.

The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) examines the County’s housing market, identifying the needs and demands for ‘market’ and ‘affordable’ homes and housing for older and vulnerable people, in order to help inform the Council's Local Plan and Housing Strategy.
 

• Strategic Housing Market Assessment Update (June 2018)
• Strategic Housing Market Assessment (October 2015)

The five-year supply of deliverable housing sites report supports the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) in identifying where new housing could potentially be built in the next five years. For sites to be included in the list, they must have a realistic expectation of delivering housing in the next five year period and could be:

• Sites with planning permission where work is yet to commence – known as 'extant sites'
• Sites with planning permission that are under construction but not yet complete – known as 'live sites'
• Sites without planning permission that may start to deliver within five years

The latest report covers the period from 2017 to 2022. Click here to view the Northumberland Five-year Supply of Deliverable Sites: 2017 to 2022 (November 2017). To locate and sort the data easier, the excel format of the appendicies can be downloaded here. 


Previously published housing supply reports:

• Northumberland Five-year Supply of Deliverable Sites: 2016 to 2021 (December 2016)
• Northumberland Five-year Supply of Deliverable Sites: 2015 to 2020 (October 2015)
• Northumberland Five-year Supply of Deliverable Sites: 2014 to 2019 (December 2014)
• Northumberland Five-year Supply of Deliverable Sites: 2013 to 2018 (October 2013)
• Northumberland Five-year Supply of Deliverable Sites 2012 to 2017 (July 2012)
• Northumberland Five-year Housing Land Supply 2012 to 2017 (December 2011)
• Northumberland Five-year Housing Land Supply 2011 to 2016

Local Housing Need Assessments complement the SHMA by providing local evidence about affordable housing need and the housing mix required. The assessments support the implementation of housing policies in the emerging Northumberland Local Plan and the development and implementation of policies in Neighbourhood Plans.

The following local housing needs assessments have been prepared:
 

• Alnwick and Denwick Housing Need Assessment (October 2016)
• Cramlington Housing Need Assessment (October 2016)
• Hexham Housing Need Assessment (October 2016)

• Click here to view the net additional homes provided in 2017/18

Previous versions of net additional homes documents can be viewed below:

• Net additional homes provided 2011/12
• Net additional homes provided 2012/13
• Net additional homes provided 2013/14
• Net additional homes provided 2014/15
• Net additional homes provided 2015/16
• Net additional homes provided 2016/17

The Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment looks at the needs for sites and accommodation for gypsies and travellers pitches and travelling showpeople plots in Northumberland. Click here to view the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (July 2018).

• Part 1 comprises all brownfield sites (of 0.25 hectares or five dwellings or more) assessed to be appropriate for residential development. Inclusion on Part 1 of the Register does not mean that planning permission has been granted, nor does the inclusion of a site on the Register give any additional weight or status if an application for planning permission is made.
• Part 2 includes those Part 1 sites granted planning Permission in Principle (PiP). There are no such sites currently entered on Part 2 of the Northumberland Register. 

The Brownfield Land Register is made available in different formats, along with an explanatory information sheet, while the sites can be viewed on the Council's Ditigal Map System: 

• Northumberland Brownfield Land Register (PDF file format)
• Northumberland Brownfield Land Register (Excel file format)
• Northumberland Brownfield Land Register (csv file format)
• Map of Brownfield Land Register Sites
• Explanatory Information Sheet

Below are the list of technical background papers for housing studies for the Northumberland Local Plan:

• Housing Site Allocations Selection and Appraisal Technical Paper (June 2018)
• Second and Holiday Homes Technical Paper (July 2018)
• Housing Distribution Technical Paper (July 2018)

The Northumberland Demographic Analysis and Forecasts (County Level and Sub-County Level) presents population and household forecasts, based on different demographic scenarios, using a range of migration and economic assumptions. Previous iterations of this study established the alternative growth scenarios and objectively assessed need for housing that was reflected in the 2015 Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA). However, more recent growth scenarios analysis is now presented in the above Housing & Economic Growth Options findings report (June 2018). Click here to view the Northumberland Demographic Analysis and Forecasts (March 2017).

New 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). However, the guidance also provides for local authorities to establish higher housing requirements in local plans where justified, such as to support economic growth.

The Housing and Economic Growth Options report examines alternative economic growth scenarios for the County’s employment land requirements in the Northumberland Local Plan, and the corresponding levels of housing requirements that would be necessary to support the increased population and numbers of households. Click here to view the Housing and Economic Growth Options Findings Report (June 2018).

The SFRA looks at flood risk from a variety of water sources to identify areas susceptible to flooding, as well as the risk of flooding of potential development sites. The Level 1 assessment examines sources of flood risk and identifies key high risk areas, which could be viewed below:
 

• Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Main Report (September 2010)
• Appendix A - Historical Flood Events
• Appendix B1 - Detailed Maps Covering NCC Administrative Area
• Appendix B2 - Flood Zone Confidence Maps
• Appendix B3 - Areas Susceptible to Surface Water Flooding Maps
• Appendix B4 - Northumbrian Water DG5 Sewer Flooding Map
• Appendix C - SuDs
• Appendix D - Data Register
• Appendix E - Contacts
• Appendix F - GIS Data
• Appendix G - Groundwater Vulnerability and Geology Mapping
• Appendix H - SFRA Maintenance and Update
• Appendix I - SFRA Version Register

The Level 2 SFRA provides a more detailed of assessment of areas that have previously been identified as potential development locations in the Northumberland Local Plan. Click here to view the Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report (October 2015).

The Outline Water Cycle Study looks at the capacity of wastewater treatment works and the sewer network to accommodate an increase in waste water from any potential new development, as well as available water resources and flooding. Click here to view Northumberland Outline Water Cycle Study Report (May 2012).

In addition to the aforementioned Outline Water Cycle Study, a Detailed Water Cycle Study has been conducted to identify in detail the constraints on planned housing and employment growth and identifies any mitigation required to facilitate development. Below are the documents for the study:
 

• Northumberland Detailed Water Cycle Study - Main Report (October 2015)
• Northumberland Detailed Water Cycle Study - Maps
• Northumberland Detailed Water Cycle Study - Addendum

The Landscape Character Assessment looks at the character of the landscape, how nature has influenced it, what it has looked like historically and what things make it distinctive. The study is divided into two parts.


Part A - Landscape Classification
Part A provides an understanding of the 44 different character types and the 108 landscape character areas. The map and associated descriptions provide a background to understanding landscape and its local distinctiveness, and provide a baseline against which change can be assessed. Below are the list of documents:
 

• Northumberland Landscape Character Assessment - Part A: Landscape Classification
• Annexe A - Landscape Characteristics
• Figure 1: Study Area
• Figure 2: National Character Areas
• Figure 3: Existing Landscape Character Assessment
• Figure 4: Topography
• Figure 5: Natural Heritage Designations
• Figure 6: Cultural Heritage Designations
• Figure 7: Historic Landscape Characterisation
• Figure 8: The Landscape Classification

Part B - The Changing Landscape
Part B sets out principles for each landscape character type. The principles seek to maintain and enhance the properties most valued in the landscape.
 

• Northumberland Landscape Character Assessment - Part B: The Changing Landscape
• Northumberland Landscape Character Assessment - Part B: Figures

Northumberland Key Land Use Impact Study study looks at the sensitivity of the landscape character areas in Northumberland to a number of key landuses and major changes that may threaten their character. The study is split into four parts, which each looking at separate land-use planning issues currently affecting Northumberland.

Northumberland Key Land Use Impact Study (September 2010)

• Part A - Landscape Sensitivity at Settlement Edges
• Part B - Proposed Extension of the Green Belt Around Morpeth
• Part C - Landscape Sensitivity to Key Land Uses
• Part D - Landscapes Potentially Requiring Additional Protection

Green infrastructure is a term used to describe a network of green spaces and the connections between them. This can have multiple uses, including recreation and wildlife habitat. Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy identifies the green infrastructure network in Northumberland and sets out recommendations on how the network and its connections can be maintained, protected and enhanced. Click here to view the Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy (October 2011).

The South East Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy sets out the vision and strategy for green infrastructure provision within southeast Northumberland to protect and improve existing poor quality green and open space, and develop new green infrastructure. Click here to view the South East Northumberland Green Infrastructure Strategy (October 2011).

Northumberland Open Space, Sport & Recreation Provision Assessment examines all open space, sport and recreational provision within Northumberland and proposes the establishment of local open standards. Below are the list of documents:
 

• Northumberland Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision Assessment (May 2011)
• Appendix 1 - Site list (Spreedsheet Format)
• Appendix 5 - Standards calculator (Spreedsheet Format)

Northumberland Playing Pitch Strategy undertakes an assessment of current and future supply and demand for sports pitches within Northumberland for the period of 2010 to 2015. Click here to view Northumberland Playing Pitch Strategy (May 2011).

We are currently in the process of updating the strategy in partnership with Sport England and the relevant pitch sport national governing bodies.

North East Aggregates Working Party is one of a number of similar working parties throughout England and Wales. Membership is drawn from mineral planning authorities, central government and the aggregates industry. It is established to collect data on the sales of aggregate minerals, the reserves of aggregate minerals covered by valid planning permissions and the land banks of reserves.


Annual Aggregates Monitoring
Information on the sales and reserves of aggregate minerals form Northumberland and North East England is collected annually and published in the following reports:
 

• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2016
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2015
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2014
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2013
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2012
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2011
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2010
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2009
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2008
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2007
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2006
• North East England Annual Aggregates Monitoring Report 2005

Recommended apportionment of national guidelines for aggregates provision
National and regional guidelines for aggregates provision in England are published by central government. To take the national and regional guidelines into account in the preparation of development plans, the guidelines need to be broken down as far as possible to mineral planning authorities’ areas.

Work was conducted by the North East Aggregates Working Party to provide technical advice on how the guideline figure for North East England should be apportioned to the mineral planning authorities. Click here to view the Apportionment of North East England Guidelines for Aggregates Provision 2005-2020 Environmental Report.


Environmental Appraisal Report
Consultants were commissioned to undertake an environmental appraisal of aggregate supply scenarios for North East England. Click here to view the Environmental Appraisal of Aggregates Supply Scenarios for North East England (February 2006).

A Local Aggregates Assessment (LAA) is prepared on an annual basis and its purpose is to assist in planning for a steady and adequate supply of aggregate minerals by assessing future demand and supply of these minerals. It is prepared jointly by the eight mineral planning authorities in County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear. Click here to view the Joint LAA for County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear (April 2018).

Previous versions of the LAA are provided for information and can be viewed by clicking on the links below:

• Joint LAA (January 2017) - using 2015 sales and reserves data
• Joint LAA (June 2016) - using 2014 sales and reserves data

Environmental Considerations & Mineral Resources Study looks at the environmental considerations that could affect the location of future mineral extraction in Northumberland. Click here to view the Environmental Considerations & Mineral Resources Study (November 2011).

Commercial and Industrial Waste Survey
A survey was taken in to understand the quantities of waste generated by businesses in Northumberland, and the report has been published in March 2011. Click here to view the North East England Commercial and Industrial Waste Survey Report (March 2011).


Waste Arisings and Management Capacity Study
This study was jointly commissioned by Northumberland, Durham and the five Tyne and Wear Councils. It forecasts waste creation to 2030 for the commercial and industrial hazardous waste streams, and compares these waste forecasts to existing and planned waste management capacity to identify if there is a gap. Click here to view the Waste Arisings and Facility Capacity Study Report (July 2012).

This report provides details of the sites/areas that have been considered as allocations for aggregate minerals in the emerging Local Plan in order to meet the identified needs for aggregate minerals. This report also provides background on why allocations are needed, the ‘call for sites’ process and the assessment of the sites put forward for consideration. Click here to view the Site Appraisals for Aggregate Minerals (June 2018).

The Renewable Energy, Low Carbon Energy Generation and Energy Efficiency Study assesses capacity for wind energy, biomass and other renewable energy sources. It splits into three parts:
 

• Part A - Energy efficiency and sustainable construction
• Part B - How the delivery of a low carbon Northumberland can be enabled
• Part C - How new policies might be set out and delivered.

Click here to view the Renewable, Low-Carbon Energy Generation and Energy Efficiency Study (February 2011).

This study was undertaken to help understand the effects of onshore wind farms on tourism. It involves four pieces of research:

1. A desk-based study of published research that has been published on the impacts of wind farms on tourism in the UK;
2. An online survey of potential tourists to Northumberland;
3. An online survey of tourism-related businesses in Northumberland based on the impacts of wind farms on them; and
4. A focus group with representatives of groups or organisations that are interested in the impacts of wind farms on tourism in Northumberland.

Click here to view the Evaluation of the Impacts of Onshore Wind Farms on Tourism (October 2014).

The Landscape and Operational Wind Farms Study was undertaken to understand the landscape, visual and historic environment effects of operational wind farms in Northumberland. The report can be viewed below:

• Landscape and Operational Wind Farms Study - Main Report (May 2015)
• Landscape and Operational Wind Farms Study - Technical Appendices

This study provides an assessment of the sensitivity of the Northumberland landscape (outside Northumberland National Park) to wind energy development. The study will be used to help the Council understand whether it is appropriate to identify suitable areas for wind energy development within the emerging Local Plan. Click here to view the Assessment of the Sensitivity of the Landscape to Wind Turbine Development Study (January 2018).

This technical paper is to provide a high level assessment of the extent and distribution of planning and environmental considerations that could affect the suitability of areas of Northumberland for wind turbine development. This will be used to recommend whether it is appropriate to identify suitable areas for wind turbine development in the emerging Northumberland Local Plan. Click here to view the Suitable Areas for Wind Turbine Development in Northumberland (Technical Document) (March 2018).

This document has been prepared to support the Northumberland Local Plan, and builds upon work undertaken for the Withdrawn Core Strategy. It seeks to identify the baseline position for infrastructure provision. As such, this IDP Part 1 sets out the County Council’s current understanding of the investment programmes of key infrastructure providers active in and around the county. It identifies the level of development planned through the Northumberland draft Local Plan. The ultimate aim of the IDP is to demonstrate that the level of development planned through the Local Plan can be supported by existing or planned infrastructure. However, at this stage, the IDP does not identify the gap between the baseline position and the level of infrastructure need to support planned development. Click here to view the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Part 1) (July 2018).

Northumberland County Council (“the Council”) is currently in the process of developing its Local Plan. To support this process, the Council requires independent viability testing of its policies to ensure deliverability. In particular, we are instructed to advise the Council regarding:
 

• Appropriate affordable housing quantum and mix.
• Appropriate levels of other Section 106 policy requirements (such as education contributions, open space provision etc).
• Other policy provisions which could impact on scheme viability (such as the potential introduction of the Nationally Described Space Standards, certain Building Regulations standards etc). 

Click here to view the Local Plan and Community Infrastructure Levy Viability Assessment (May 2018).