Nutrient Neutrality
Following on from written advice from Natural England and the Government's Chief Planner received at end of March 2022, the Authority has been mandated to pay particular attention to the potential nutrient impacts for certain housing and tourism accommodation developments, which create foul drainage and runoff containing nitrogen and phosphorous (plant fertilisers) that feed into our local water environment, which eventually feeds into the River Tees internationally protected sensitive site of nature conservation. Planning applications for new residential development, barn conversions to residential development and tourism accommodation in the north west part of the National Park (see the catchment map) will be required to submit extra detailed information on how they intend to ensure there is ‘nutrient neutrality’ to the outflow from their sewage disposal systems which eventually enters into the Tees river catchment area. The Government website has useful background information.
Update – 27 March 2023
Natural England have published ‘Nutrient Mitigation Scheme Guidance for developers’, along with a Nutrient Budget Calculator
The Tees Catchment Area Planning Authorities recently commissioned a report to investigate the likely occupancy rate of new dwellings in the affected area. The conclusions of the report in relation to the part of the National Park Area suggested a lower figure for housing than the national figure used in the Natural England published Nutrient Budget Calculator. The figure for this area is 0.36 rather than the 2.4 national figure.
The Nutrient Budget Calculator which has been amended to reflect the lower figure. This should only be used for applications for housing within the part of the North York Moors National Park Authority area falling within the Tees Catchment area. The metric only applies to residential applications and is not applicable for holiday accommodation.
Nutrient Budget Calculator (csv file)
You will be required to submit a copy of your completed Budget Calculator to support an application for residential development. You will also be required to submit a report providing evidence on how your development will achieve no increase in nitrogen discharge into the water courses.
Natural England have also produced Nutrient Neutrality and Mitigation: A summary guide and frequently asked questions:
Natural England Summary Guide and Frequently Asked Questions.
This document provides an overview of the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme and a step-by-step guide for how developers can apply for credits:
Step-by-Step Guidance Document: Natural England’s Nutrient Mitigation Scheme for developers.
For further information related to NYM planning implications please contact Mark Hill, Head of Development Management.
Tees Management Catchment | Catchment Data Explorer
Dated 30/3/23
How do I apply for planning permission?
The relevant application form can be downloaded from the Forms and Guidance section of this website, submitted online via the national Planning Portal website or obtained in hard copy from the National Park Authority. There are guidance notes to assist with the completion of the forms.
You may wish to consider appointing a professional agent who will be familiar with the planning process and who can help your application be processed smoothly.
Should you wish to have your application checked by a member of the Administration Team prior to submission, an appointment will be required. Please note there is a charge for this service which is set out in Planning Administration Services and Charges
This Area Planning Officer Map shows which Planning Officer covers each area within the North York Moors National Park.
Please note - regarding the submission of plans, that where parties appear to the Authority to be acting in breach of copyright or other intellectual property right, the Authority may pass their details to the owner of the relevant right.
How are applications assessed?
After the planning application has been submitted the Authority will, where appropriate, consult neighbouring properties, the relevant Parish Council and other relevant bodies e.g. Highway Authority, Environmental Health, Environment Agency etc asking for their views on the proposal. For most applications a site notice will be placed on or near to the application site inviting comments and where appropriate an advertisement placed in the local newspaper.
Together with any comments received as a result of the consultation process all proposals for development are assessed against the planning policies set out in the North York Moors Local Plan. Planning decisions must be made in accordance with the Local Plan unless there are other material planning considerations that could override the normal planning policy considerations. A plain English guide to the Planning System is available.
How can I view/comment on a planning application?
View the documents associated with a current or determined application or to make comments on a current application and follow the instructions provided.
Please note: Any application received on or after 11 June 2018 will only be held in electronic format on our website. Should you wish to view the electronic file at the National Park Offices in Helmsley this is by appointment only.
Who makes the decision?
Scheme of Delegation
Many straight forward and non-controversial applications are determined by the Director of Planning under a Scheme of Delegation agreed by the National Park Authority.
Planning Committee
If an application does not accord with the provisions of the Scheme of Delegation, it will be determined by the Authority's Planning Committee which meets once approximately every six weeks, usually on a Thursday starting at 10am at the National Park Offices in Helmsley.
To find out more about our public speaking procedure for these meetings please read the Authority's public speaking at Planning Committee guidance note.
After the decision
Once a planning application is determined a copy of the decision notice will be made available for public inspection on the Authority's website.
If your application is approved, it is likely to be subject to conditions that may require further details to be submitted before development starts on site. It is important that all conditions of a planning permission are complied with as failure to do so may render the permission invalid and may result in enforcement action.
Following a grant of planning permission, you may wish to make amendments to the approved scheme. If permission is refused, you may wish to negotiate with the Authority and re-submit your proposal. For further information please contact the Case Officer who dealt with your application.
If you wish to challenge a particular condition of your planning permission or refusal of planning permission, you have a right to appeal to the Secretary of State. Under current Government Planning Legislation once a planning decision has been made only the applicant can appeal against that decision; there is no third party right of appeal.
How can I appeal against a decision?
The appeals procedure and time frame in which you must appeal to the Secretary of State can be found on the reverse of your decision notice.
If your application is refused, the decision notice will set out the reasons for the refusal. Where the refusal relates primarily to issues of detail or design, you may prefer to negotiate with the Authority and re-submit the proposal. However, this is not usually an option where the refusal relates to a fundamental policy objection.
You have a right to appeal against a refusal or a condition that is attached to your permission to an independent Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. This must be done within six months of the date of refusal for a non-householder application and within 12 weeks for a householder application.
Please use the Planning Explorer website to search for details of planning appeals lodged against the Authority's decisions.
If you would like to receive an electronic copy of the details of any appeal listed please email your request to planning@northyorkmoors.org.uk. Details of an appeal decision will be placed on the Planning Explorer website under the relevant application reference number.
Links and Downloads
Planning Inspectorate website - for more detailed information on the appeals process
Planning Explorer website - for details of current appeals