Please give us your views...
We have started to review the North York Moors Local Plan. This is the plan which guides how we make decisions on planning applications.
At this starting stage, we set out our ‘current thinking’ on possible changes and asked for views. This request for reviews has now closed, however if you have any urgent views let us know - see details below. We are also carrying out a 'call for sites' to see if there is any land suitable for new development - the deadline for the submission of sites is 30th November 2026.
Under the 2026 Local Plan Regulations we are required to produce and publish three notices to formally announce that we are starting a review:
Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation
Statement that the Local Plan Timetable is to have Effect
Notice of Scoping Consultation
The publication of the Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation was approved by the National Park Authority on 29 June 2026.
Our starting point is that the current Plan remains fit for purpose and there is much we want to keep. However, a lot has changed nationally since the Local Plan was adopted in 2020. In particular, the emerging reforms set out in the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) signal substantial shifts in national planning policy. The main changes that will influence our plan are:
- The potential introduction of 133 local plan–style policies that local plans must not duplicate
- A push for growth, including boosting housing supply
- A stronger presumption in favour of development
What may need to change?
We set out some initial thoughts on the key areas which might need changing. As part of our 'Current Thinking', we were seeking views on four important areas:
- Nature recovery and climate action at a landscape scale
- Recreation, health and wellbeing
- How do we decide which villages are appropriate for new development?
- Housing, including overall numbers, locations and tenure
We also asked:
- Whether there any sites in or next to settlements that could be used for new housing or other development – we call this our ‘call for sites’
- If anyone knows of any ‘brownfield’ or unsightly sites where sensitive redevelopment may be of benefit to the landscape of the National Park
- For any views on our draft vision
- For any thoughts on our project plan, or ‘Project Initiation Document’
- Whether there any other aspects of the current Local Plan that may need reviewing
The deadline for responses was Monday 31 August 2026. If you have not been able to meet this deadline please feel to email us at localplan@northyorkmoors.org.uk or write to us at Policy Team, North York Moors National Park Authority, Bondgate, Helmsley YO625BP.