North York Moors National Park
 

Planning

How planning works

 

The North York Moors National Park Authority is the Planning Authority for the North York Moors.

Through its planning powers, the Authority has an important role in creating a more sustainable future for the area. By guiding and controlling development, it tries to provide for the needs of local communities whilst safeguarding and, where possible, enhancing the natural and built environment .

The National Park Authority is responsible for preparing, monitoring and reviewing all planning policies and controlling all development in the National Park which requires planning permission.

National legislation contains the basic principles by which development is controlled throughout the country.  This is supplemented by the Government's Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) and Planning Policy Guidance (PPGs) on specific topics.

Planning legislation requires that planning decisions should be made in accordance with the 'Development Plan' unless there are special circumstances which could override the normal policy considerations.  The 'Development Plan' for the National Park comprises:

  • the Yorkshire and Humber Plan Regional Spatial Strategy to 2026 (RSS). This provides a regional framework into which local policies have to fit.
  • the North York Moors Local Development Framework which comprises a number of documents including the Core Strategy and Development Policies document.  This was adopted by the Authority on 13th November 2008 and replaces the policies in the former North York Moors Local Plan (2003).   

Outside the main villages of the National Park planning permission for new buildings is generally granted only where it is required for the purposes of agriculture or forestry or some other activity which can only be carried out in the countryside. 

Conservation Areas

Areas of special architectural or historic interest where a combination of features gives the area its own distinctive character and qualities are designated as Conservation Areas.

Proposals for new development in Conservation Areas must preserve or enhance the character of the area and there are additional controls over the demolition of some buildings and the felling of trees.

For more information about Conservation Areas, please see our Conservation Areas webpages. 

Listed Buildings

Individual buildings of particular architectural or historic importance are ‘Listed’ by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and both external and internal alterations are strictly controlled.

For more information about Listed buildings, please see our Listed Buildings webpages.