The North York Moors National Park Authority is undertaking a review of its adopted Local Plan (July 2022). As part of this process, the Authority intends to prepare a Land Availability Assessment (LAA) to understand the potential supply of land that may be suitable, available, and achievable for housing and economic development over the plan period.
The adopted Local Plan does not currently identify strategic site allocations (with the exception of Helmsley). However, as part of the current review, the Authority is now actively exploring whether allocating sites for future development would be appropriate within the National Park and how this could be undertaken in a way that fully reflects the statutory purposes, special qualities, and landscape sensitivities.
To inform this work, the Authority is inviting landowners, developers, parish councils and community groups to submit sites for consideration. This “Call for Sites” is a key opportunity to put forward land that could potentially be allocated for development through the revised Local Plan.
Any approach to land allocation will be landscape-led and sustainability-based, reflecting the statutory purposes of the National Park and the priority given to conserving and enhancing natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage. This means that, unlike many other planning authorities, site allocation within the National Park is not target-driven but instead is a carefully managed, evidence-led process.
Through this process, the Authority will seek to identify a limited number of sites where development could be accommodated without undermining the National Park’s special qualities. Allocating sites through the Local Plan can provide greater clarity and certainty about the principle and scale of development, while allowing potential impacts to be assessed comprehensively at the plan-making stage rather than through individual planning applications.
The Call for Sites exercise will remain open until the 30 November 2026.
What types of sites are we looking for?
The Authority particularly encourages the submission of sites that:
- Make efficient use of land and buildings;
- Minimise harm to landscape character and settlement form;
- Meet the needs of local communities, including principal residence housing, affordable housing, employment or community uses.
Preferred types of sites
Edge of village locations
Sites are more likely to be suitable where they:
- Are closely related to existing settlement boundaries
- Are well connected to the built form of the village
- Can be integrated without creating ribbon or sporadic development
- Are of a scale appropriate to the settlement
Sites that reinforce existing settlement patterns, rather than extending development into the wider countryside, are more likely to be suitable. Isolated sites and sites in the open countryside are unlikely to be suitable.
Brownfield and previously developed land
The Authority strongly encourages the submission of:
- Previously developed (brownfield) land;
- Redundant or underused sites within or adjoining settlements;
- Derelict sites which have become unsightly in the wider streetscape or landscape where careful redevelopment will bring significant community benefits as well as environmental enhancement.
Priority will be given to proposals that reuse existing development footprints and avoid the loss of undeveloped greenfield land.
Reuse and adaptation of existing buildings
The National Park Authority places a strong emphasis on the reuse, conversion or adaptation of existing buildings, especially where this:
- Protects traditional building stock
- Maintains settlement character
- Reduces the need for new build development
- Supports local housing, employment or community needs
This may include agricultural, commercial, industrial or institutional buildings capable of sensitive conversion.
What is less likely to be supported?
Sites are unlikely to be suitable where they:
- Are isolated from existing settlements
- Result in encroachment into open countryside
- Create visually prominent or intrusive development
- Harm landscape character, biodiversity or heritage assets
- Lead to unsustainable patterns of development
Important note
Submission of a site does not guarantee that it will be allocated or granted planning permission. All sites will be assessed against national policy, National Park purposes and the emerging Local Plan evidence base.
How to submit a site
If you wish to promote a site for consideration, please submit it via the map below which enables you to plot the site and then complete a short online form. Alternatively if you would like to submit a site through the post or via email please complete the form below, attach an outline of the site and email it to: localplan@northyorkmoors.org.uk or send it to: The North York Moors National Park Authority, The Old Vicarage, Bondgate, Helmsley, York, YO62 5BP.
Call for Sites Submission Form (word document)
The Call for Sites exercise will remain open until the 30 November 2026.