North York Moors Local Plan (2026–2041)

Project Plan

Version: 3

Date: 29 June 2026

Latest stage: Notice to commence Plan preparation was announced on 29 June 2026.

Next Stage: We intend to complete the first gateway self assessment in October 2026 and consult on a draft plan in May 2027 (if not, earlier).

A summary of the Plan timetable can be found here.

This CSV file contains the information above and will be updated when changes have been made to the timetable and when milestones have been met. The data within this file is being provided to government under the Open Government Licence.

1. Purpose of this document

Local plans must be reviewed every five years. The current North York Moors National Park Authority Local Plan was adopted in July 2020 hence review is due.

This Project Initiation Document (PID) sets out definition, scope, management and deliverables of this review. It follows the format set out in the Planning Advisory Service’s PID template.

2.Project scope

Role of the Plan: As a local planning authority (LPA), we have a statutory duty under both the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and amendments made by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 to prepare and adopt a Local Plan. The Local Plan will form part of the North York Moors National Park Authority’s Development Plan.

Objectives:

• Refresh development management policies with updated evidence.
• Align with emerging national development policies and the North York Moors National Park Management Plan.
• Address priorities for 2025–2040 including landscape, climate change, nature recovery, housing, and tourism.
• Incorporate Minerals and Waste Policies into the Local Plan.

Scope:

• Geographical: North York Moors National Park
• Time horizon: 2025–2040
• Focus: targeted policy updates, not a wholesale rewrite

Key deliverables:

• Updated evidence base (housing, landscape, environment)
• Initial ‘Current Thinking’ options document
• Draft plan
• Supporting evidence for consultation and examination e.g., Topic Papers
• Completed Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments
• Adopted Local Plan (2025–2040)

3.Related authority projects

1. National Park Management Plan
2. Nature Recovery Plan
3. Climate Change Plan
4. Local Cycling and Walking Investment Plan

4.  Other plans that will be prepared

• North York Moors National Park Design Code

5. Plan timeline

The Government has changed the way  Local Plans are prepared. New regulations, which came into force on 25 March 2026 set out this new process. Guidance is also available.

After a four month  'scoping stage' plans are expected  to be prepared  within 30 months.  3 'gateway assessments ' will be hold prior to the plan being submitted to  Government  for examination.

The  four month scoping stage will begin in July 2026. This will include  the publication of our 'First Steps' documents, which will include  a 'current thinking' assessment of what changes might be needed, a call for sites, and draft vision, a policy by policy analysis of our current plan and a scoping report for the Environmental  Assessment.

For the North York Moors draft Local Plan this means:

In more detail, for the North York Moors draft Local Plan, this means:

1. Pre-commencement  stage

Stage 1a          Notice of intention to prepare a plan/publish scoping documents

What will happen? Scoping and early participation. We will publish a local plan timetable on the same day or earlier. This is the formal start of the minimum 4-month notice period. The notice must be given publicly and set out where the timetable is published.

When? On 29 June 2026.

Outputs: As part of ‘First Steps’ early engagement:

1. A Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation
2. This Project Initiation Document, setting out scope, issues, project management, risks, resourcing, and the approach to engagement
3. A Scoping Document setting out key issues and asking for views (the ‘Current Thinking- Document’)
4. Options for a draft vision for the Plan
5. A policy-by-policy analysis of policies that may need to be reviewed or deleted, particularly in light of a new National Planning Policy Framework
6. A call for sites
7. A Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report

We will also notify the Planning Inspectorate of our intention to create a new plan at this stage.

Stage 1b         Gateway 1 – Self assessment

What will happen? The Authority will then publish an assessment of its preparedness to commence plan-making. The 30-month timetable commences at this stage.

When? Before 31 October 2026.

Outputs: A self-assessment summary using the Government’s template, including:

1. Proposed scope of the plan and identifying the evidence required to create a sound plan
2. Summary of responses to the ‘First Steps’ scoping consultation
3. Scoping of relevant SEA requirements
4. Review of the Project Initiation Document, including:

• Project management, governance, risks to delivery and resourcing to deliver against the local plan timetable
• The overall approach to engagement with communities and stakeholders, including statutory bodies, throughout the plan preparation process

2. Early plan-making stage

Stage 2a         Plan visioning and strategy development

What will happen? We will publish a summary of the scoping consultation. We will start to develop and assess spatial strategy options and refine the draft vision and aims. We will undertake a Sustainability Appraisal / SEA of reasonable alternatives. We will continue the site assessment and selection process. Identify preferred and alternative spatial strategies. We will continue to develop the evidence base.

When? September 2026 – April 2027

Outputs:

1. Summary of responses to the scoping stage
2. Establishment of the vision, aims and objectives of the plan
3. Spatial options and topics to be covered in local policies, supported by the Sustainability Appraisal

Stage 2b         Round 1 engagement

What will happen?  A mandatory statutory consultation.

When? May 2027 – June 2027

Outputs: Draft documents for consultation

Stage 2c         Round 1 engagement – summary of responses

What will happen? We will publish a summary setting out the main issues raised and how they have been considered.

When? July 2027 – August 2027

Outputs: An engagement report

3.Post-gateway 1 work and first consultation

Stage 3a         Finalise the preferred spatial strategy and draft policies

What will happen? We will complete site assessment and selection, agree on a preferred spatial strategy and update the Sustainability Appraisal. We will begin drafting the full local plan document.

When? August 2027- January 2028

Outputs: A draft plan with accompanying evidence.

Stage 3b        Second gateway assessment

What will happen? We will seek the opinion of the Planning Inspectorate for observations and advice

When? January 2028

Stage 3c         Approval to publish draft proposed local plan for consultation

What will happen? We will submit a report to the planning committee and/or full Authority to agree the proposed plan; policies map and all supporting documents for publication.

When? 3 February 2028

Outputs: Decision to undertake Round 2 consultation.

Stage 3d         Round 2 consultation

What will happen? A mandatory statutory consultation. Minimum six-week period.

When? February 2028 – March 2028

Outputs: We will publish and invite comments on a complete draft plan, policies map and all supporting documents.

Stage 3e        Round 2 consultation – summary report

What will happen? We will collate and publish a summary of Round 2 consultation responses

When? April 2028

Outputs: A consultation report

Stage 3f         Update the Plan & and prepare submission documents

What will happen? We will prepare a statement of compliance, a full representations schedule, an updated evidence base, a schedule of proposed modifications (if any), and a policies map.

When? April 2028 – September 2028

Outputs: A set of submission documents

Stage 3g          Third external gateway assessment

What will happen? The Planning Inspectorate will assess the soundness of our draft plan and whether it has been prepared under the correct legal stages and tests. Four weeks maximum, six in exceptional circumstances.

When? October 2028

Outputs: 

• Procedural and legal requirements met
• Regard to be had to observations and advice at Gateways 1 and 2
• Evidence prepared as proposed, and any previously identified gaps addressed.
• Relevant SEA was published, including an explanation of compliance with national requirements.
• Summary of representations available
• Digital and data requirements met (including policies map)
• Nationally defined templates are used, where appropriate
• Engagement activities undertaken in line with the Project Initiation Document.
• SDS general conformity statement prepared (where relevant)
• Practical readiness for examination (e.g., venue identified for hearings, etc.)

4.Submission and Examination

Stage 4a         Submit the Plan to the Planning Inspectorate

What will happen? We will submit the local plan, policies map, all supporting documents, statement of compliance and schedule of representations.

When? October 2028

Stage 4b         Examination of our draft Plan by the Planning Inspectorate

What will happen? An Inspector will be appointed. The Inspectorate reviews submission documents. A pre-examination meeting is held and a programme officer is appointed by the Authority.

Inspector-led hearings will test the soundness of the plan against NPPF tests. Key strategic matters are considered early. Evidence will be tested. The Inspector will prepare a report on whether the draft Plan is sound and whether any main modifications will be needed to make it so.

When? November 2028 - March 2029

Stage 4c        Issuing of the Inspector’s Report

What will happen? The Inspector prepares a report. We fact-check the report for factual accuracy. The Authority considers and formally agrees to any recommended main modifications.

When? April 2029

Stage 4d        Adoption

What will happen? The Inspector prepares a report. We fact-check the report for factual accuracy. The Authority considers and formally agrees to any recommended main modifications. The Plan is adopted by the Authority.

When? By 14 May 2029

This assumes:

1. A six-month examination period is set out in the Government’s proposed new system. It is possible that this period could be reduced on the basis that, as a National Park Authority, the level of representation is likely to be lower than for most local planning authorities. However, we have kept to the six months to add an element of contingency.
2. There are also two key assumptions beyond the control of the Authority – that gateway assessors will be available and that an Inspector will be available shortly after submission.

5. Summary of key milestones for the Authority:

DPWG = Development Plan Working Group.

6. Project roles

Project Sponsor: Chris France, Director of Planning

Project Manager: Paul Fellows, Head of Strategic Policy

Project Team: Paul Fellows, Clair Shields (Planning/Policy Officer)

Plus, support from the Geographical Information System specialist, Legal, Comms, and Development Management Team.

Member support and reporting:

Development Plan Working Group. Chair: Malcolm Bowes.

Decision-making bodies:

Planning Committee, National Park Authority

Reporting

Regular Senior Management Team project updates.

7. Resources & Budget

Internal resources:

Planning Policy Team (~1.8 FTE).

Head of Strategic Policy: Paul Fellows (1 FTE)

Planning Officer Clair Shields (0.8 FTE)

GIS, legal, comms – as required

Funding sources:

All funding for the Local Plan will come from the Authority’s allocated budget.

There are two main external costs:

1. External consultancy support to build up the evidence base.

Total estimated cost of evidence base: £57,100.

The following elements of the evidence base will be created in-house or are not required:

• Strategic Environmental Assessment - Internal
• Infrastructure Study – Internal
• Employment Study – not required.

The following elements of the evidence-based will need to be sourced from consultants:

• Viability Assessment – External consultancy required, to be procured. Estimated cost: £25,000
• Habitats Regulation Assessment – External consultancy required, to be procured. Estimated cost: £6,500
• Housing Needs Study - External consultancy required, completed. Cost: £5,600
• Gypsy and Traveller Assessment - External consultancy required, to be procured jointly with North Yorkshire Council. Estimated cost: £5,000
• Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - External consultancy required, to be procured jointly with North Yorkshire Council. Estimated cost: £10,000
• Open Space Assessment - External consultancy required, work underway jointly with North Yorkshire Council. Estimated cost: £5,000

2.  Local plan examination. Estimated cost of examination: £54,685

We have estimated that £44, 685 will be required for 30 days of the Inspector’s time at £993 per day (including preparation and report writing)

We have factored in a Programme Officer salary estimated at 4 months of £10,000.

Total external costs: £111,785

8. Stakeholder Engagement

An engagement plan has been produced. (see end of this page) In summary, the following stakeholders have been identified.

1. Statutory consultees: Environment Agency, Natural England, Historic England, Highways England
2. Surrounding councils (North Yorkshire Council, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council), Environment bodies
3. Local stakeholders: Residents, parish councils, community groups, developers, businesses
4. Stakeholders registered on the development plan mailing list. To join, email policy@northyorkmoors.org.uk

9. Risk Management Plan – Version 1

The purpose of this plan is to assess potential risks that may hinder or threaten the production of a new local plan. This Plan will be periodically reviewed by the Local Plan Team and the Development Plan Working Group (DPWG). The level of risk is assessed on an ongoing basis, and mitigation strategies are set out with clear ownership/responsibilities attached. Risks are identified and are marked as follows:

Probability: Almost certain – 5. Likely -4. Possible – 3. Unlikely – 2. Almost impossible – 1

Impact: Severe delay/abandonment – 5. Significant delay – 4. Moderate delay – 3. Minor delay – 2. No issues - 1

Overall score:

1-3 - Insignificant

4-6 - Moderate

7-12 - Significant

13-25 – High

Summary

Risk 1 – Changes to national planning policy or guidance

Description: Updates to NPPF or government policy/legislation affecting plan content. A draft NPPF was published in December 2025 and we are awaiting the final version. As it contains National Development Management Polices (NDMPs) which cannot be replicated in Local Plans there is a significant risk of NDMPs affecting plan content. There is also uncertainty on the future of both Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulation requirements.

Probability: Likely (4)

Impact: Moderate delay (4)

Overall risk: 8 (Significant)

Mitigation: Track government announcements, allow timetable flexibility, review implications promptly, and seek government advice if needed.

Owner: Head of Strategic Policy

Risk 2 – Delays in evidence-based preparation

Description: Delays in preparing key evidence (e.g., housing needs assessment, flood risk assessment, open space studies, etc.), or absence of evidence. Much of the evidence will come from studies commissioned by North Yorkshire Council, to which this Authority will co-fund and help manage.

Probability: Possible (3)

Impact: Minor Delay (4)

Overall risk:   7 (Significant)

Mitigation: Commission studies early, monitor progress regularly, maintain contact with consultants and North Yorkshire Council, and include contingency time in the project plan.

Owner: Head of Strategic Planning

Risk 3 – Staff capacity

Description: Turnover of planning policy staff, insufficient capacity, absence through sickness or key staff taking holiday/leaving holiday entitlement to the end of the year.

Probability: Unlikely (3)

Impact: Significant delay (5)

Overall risk:   8 (Significant)

Mitigation: Recruit temporary staff, succession planning, cross-train team members, and manage leave so it does not overlap or be left to the end of the year.

Owner: Head of Strategic Planning

Risk 4 – Lack of stakeholder engagement or too many comments/objections

Description: Failure to engage with stakeholders, significant opposition delaying consultation or adoption.

Probability: Unlikely (3)

Impact: Unlikely (3)

Overall risk:   6 (Moderate)

Mitigation: Conduct early and ongoing engagement, clear communications strategy, maintain transparent consultation records, and respond to representations fully. Consider temporary staffing if far more comments than anticipated.

Owner: Head of Strategic Policy

Risk 5 – Member changes

Description: Changes in members overseeing the project.

Probability: Unlikely (3)

Impact: Minor delay (2)

Overall risk:   5 (Moderate)

Mitigation: Maintain notes from Development Plan Working Group meetings, carry out member training, and induction of new members.

Owner: Chief Executive.

Risk 6 – Failure to cooperate with neighbouring Local Planning Authorities

Description: Not meeting the requirement to cooperate with neighbouring authorities.

Probability: Unlikely (3)

Impact: Significant delay (5)

Overall risk:   8 (Significant)

Mitigation: Hold regular joint officer meetings, formal Memoranda of Understanding, and escalate disagreements to Members early.

Owner: Head of Strategic Policy

Risk 7 – Budget constraints

Description: Insufficient budget affecting plan delivery.

Probability: Unlikely (3)

Impact: Minor delay (2)

Overall risk:   5 (Moderate)

Mitigation: Review resource plan regularly, seek additional funding if required, and prioritise critical workstreams.

Owner: Finance & Planning

Risk 8 – Other work priorities divert resources from the Policy team

Description: Other projects or requirements for statutory work to be undertaken reduce the amount of time available to produce the Local Plan. Specifically, the Management Plan will need to be reviewed in 2027, and the Design Code has yet to be completed.

Probability: Possible (4)

Impact: Significant delay (4)

Overall risk:   8 (Significant)

Mitigation: Spend time when drafts are out for consultation to prioritise other work. Consider how to divert time spent by the policy team on Management Plan drafting.

Owner: Head of Strategic Policy

Risk 9 - Documents are presented in a drab or inconsistent format or without consistent branding, or are not simply written or presented

Description:

Probability: Unlikely (3)

Impact: No issues (1)

Overall risk:   4 (Moderate)

Mitigation:

Owner: Head of Strategic Policy, with the Comms Team.

Risk 10 – The plan and engagement strategy are not linked to other Authority priorities

Description: The Plan is written ‘in a vacuum’, and insufficient internal consultation takes place to make sure the Plan reflects wider area Authorities.

Probability: Unlikely (3)

Impact: No issues (1)

Overall risk:   4 (Moderate)

Mitigation: Make sure the Local Plan and preceding documents and any summaries contain clear links and common objectives. Secure full involvement of other departments

Owner: Head of Strategic Policy, with the Comms Team.

10. Review Process:

• Reviewed quarterly by the Development Plan Working Group.
• Escalation occurs if the risk rating becomes High or the likelihood/impact changes significantly.
• All updates are logged with version and date.

11. The Engagement Plan

Purpose and Scope

This Engagement Plan supports the local Plan review, which updates planning policies for the North York Moors National Park. It aims to ensure that engagement is effective, inclusive, and tailored to different audiences and stages of the review.

The Authority published a ‘Statement of Community Involvement’ in 2023. Under the new local plan system proposed by the Government, this will be replaced by this Engagement Plan once regulations are in place.

Stakeholder Engagement

Key stakeholders include local communities, town and parish councils, landowners, developers, statutory bodies, and interest groups.

Engagement will be structured around three main phases:

1. Early engagement and evidence gathering
2. Consultation on draft policies
3. Formal public consultation on the proposed submission plan

Engagement Principles

We will:

• Meet minimum legal requirements for consultation, exceeding these where practical and reasonable to do so, and resources allow.
• Ensure that consultations are open to everyone, although more specialist or technical consultations may be targeted at specific groups.
• Ensure that consultations are clear and in plain English where possible, whilst recognising that technical content may be needed in some cases.
• Allow sufficient time for people to respond to / be involved in consultations.
• Be clear about what is open for consultation.
• Use electronic forms of communication wherever possible, provided this is appropriate for the consultee and the nature of the consultation.
• Keep those who participate informed of progress.

Methods of Engagement

A mix of tools will be used, including:

There are several ways in which consultation can be carried out and publicised:

1. Emails to consultees – these will directly alert likely interested parties to the consultation being carried out. This uses the Local Plan consultation database – email policy@northyorkmoors.org.uk to be added to the list
2. The Authority’s website (www.northyorkmoors.org.uk. The website contains space for direct links to consultations from the planning home page to ensure that a wide audience is aware of the consultation.
3. Press releases – if an article appears in the press, on the radio or on a news or interest website, this is likely to reach a relatively large audience, but the content of the article or broadcast is at the discretion of the media organisation.
4. Moors Messenger – this is the Authority’s own publication, which is sent to all households and businesses in and around the National Park in November and May each year and enables us to communicate with every resident.
5. Drop-in sessions – these provide an opportunity for interested parties to discuss the consultation with officers from the Authority.
6. Stakeholder workshops and forums
7. Social media (for example, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook) – These can alert a potentially wide audience (in interest and location) to a consultation, although they can usually only contain a limited level of detail and will often feature a link to our website where more information will be held.
8. Making documents available in local libraries and in the Authority’s offices
9. Special efforts will be made to reach underrepresented groups and ensure geographic coverage across the park.

Who we will engage and consult with

Existing regulations require local planning authorities to notify specific and general consultees, residents and businesses. Bodies will be contacted via email. In addition, anyone who has asked to be added to our Local Plan consultation database will be contacted.

In addition, we will engage with:

1. Parish Councils
2. Local planning consultants
3. Local estates
4. Other community groups
5. The Local Access Forum
6. The Youth Forum

Timeline and Milestones

The engagement strategy aligns with the Local Plan timetable, with major consultation events planned for:

12. Approval of this Project Initiation Document

Author Name: Paul Fellows

Approvers Name:

Malcolm Bowes, Chair, Development Plan Working Group

Signed

Tom Hind, Chief Executive

Signed

Chris France, Director of Planning

Signed

Version Control

Version: 3

Date: 29 June 2026

Latest stage: Notice to commence Plan preparation was announced on 29 June 2026.

Next Stage: We intend to complete the first gateway self-assessment in October 2026 and consult on a draft plan in May 2027 (if not, earlier).