The County Council is beginning work on a new Northumberland Local Plan which will guide how the county grows over the next 20 years.

The new Local Plan will help:

• Plan for new homes, including affordable, rural, and specialist housing;
• Support job growth, businesses, and inward investment;
• Ensure the right infrastructure is provided to support development, such as roads, schools, and health services; and
• Support the extraction of minerals to enable development
• Protect Northumberland’s valued natural and historic environments
• Support health and wellbeing and,
• Ensure development mitigates climate change and is adaptable to a changing climate.

As part of this early “scoping” stage, the council is seeking views from residents, community groups, and businesses on the key issues and priorities the new Local Plan should address.

Feedback received now will help shape the plan’s focus and vision.  It is also encouraging residents to sign-up so they can be informed and engaged at different stages as the local plan is prepared.

The initial scoping consultation runs from Wednesday 20 May to Wednesday 1 July.

County Councillor Colin Horncastle, Cabinet member for Housing and Planning, explained: “Northumberland faces both opportunities and planning challenges in the years ahead. The Government requires us to plan for around 34,000 new homes over the next 20 years – an increase of about 20% on the existing housing stock.

“We will also need to identify sites to help deliver the county’s economic ambitions as set out in the Economic Strategy. Meeting these needs will require careful decisions about where development should take place, how infrastructure is provided, and how valued landscapes and places are protected.

“While development within settlements and on brownfield sites will be prioritised, most
settlements will see growth. This means that some greenfield sites adjacent to towns and villages
will be needed, and a limited amount of land currently in the Green Belt, may need to be released for development.

“At the same time, growth brings opportunities. It can help deliver homes that meet local needs, including affordable homes, support local businesses, attract inward investment, and allow us to make best use of the Northumberland Line, and attract investment in key infrastructure.

“While this is very much the first step on a long journey, we’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved. Hearing from communities early will help ensure the new Local Plan reflects local needs, priorities, and aspirations for the future.”

The council is also asking for feedback on how it engages with communities and stakeholders as the plans progress. A draft Engagement Strategy is available on the council’s website.

Information about the consultation can be found on the council’s website at https://nland.uk/LocalPlanPR

Anyone with questions can contact the Planning Policy Team by emailing planningstrategy@northumberland.gov.uk