Review of Relevant Plans, Programmes and Objectives (Task A1)
This section fulfils the requirement, under Schedule 2 of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 (the 'SEA Regulations'), to identify the relationship of the emerging North York Moors National Park Local Plan with other relevant plans, policies and programmes (PPPs), and to consider the environmental protection objectives established at international, national, regional and local level that are relevant to the Local Plan. It also reflects the plan-making evidence requirements set out in the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/186) and the National Planning Practice Guidance on Sustainability Appraisal.
The review identifies, for each PPP, its key objectives and requirements, together with the implications for the scope and content of the Local Plan and Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Framework. In particular, it highlights any environmental, social or economic constraints, opportunities, targets and evidence gaps that should be reflected in the SA objectives and indicators. The list is organised in four tiers — international, national, regional/sub-regional and local — and is not exhaustive; it will be reviewed and updated as the Local Plan progresses and as PPPs are themselves revised.
The review has been undertaken against the position as at August 2026. The SA Framework and this review will be updated at each subsequent stage of plan preparation to reflect their finalisation.
Policy and Legislative Context
International
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992)
Objectives:
Sets out 27 principles of sustainable development, stating that ‘The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations’.
Implications for the Local Plan:
General principles of participation, cooperation, precautionary principle and appropriate interventions in pursuit of sustainable development should be reflected in Plans. Role of sustainability appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment paramount.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change & Kyoto Protocol (UNFCCC, 1994 & 1997)
Objectives:
Sets the framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle climate change. Under the convention, governments:
- Gather and share information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies, and best practice;
- Launch national strategies for addressing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to expected impacts, including the provision of financial and technological support to developing countries;
- Co-operate in preparing for adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Kyoto Protocol: Commits Annex 1 countries (of which Britain, as part of the EU, is one) to individual, legally binding targets to limit/reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Plans should consider ways in which they can contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
European Landscape Convention (2007)
Objectives:
Aims to promote European landscape protection, management and planning, and to organise European co-operation on landscape issues. Emphasises need to strike a balance between preserving the natural and cultural heritage of landscape, as well as using it as an economic resource, which therefore places landscape at the centre of sustainable development.
- To recognise landscapes in law as an essential component of people’s surroundings, an expression of the diversity of their shared cultural and natural heritage, and a foundation of their identity;
- To establish and implement landscape policies aimed at landscape protection, management and planning through the adoption of the specific measures;
- To establish procedures for the participation of the general public, local and regional authorities, and other parties with an interest in the definition and implementation of the landscape policies;
- To integrate landscape into its regional and town planning policies and in its cultural, environmental, agricultural, social and economic policies, as well as in any other policies with possible direct or indirect impact on landscape.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Plans must carefully consider impact of activities upon wider landscape, particularly given the National Park’s status as an area of national landscape importance.
Paris Agreement (2015) and UK Nationally Determined Contribution
Objectives:
International commitment to hold global temperature increase to well below 2°C, pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C, underpinning the UK's emissions reduction pathway.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Reinforces the need for an SA objective addressing climate change mitigation, and for the Local Plan to support decarbonisation of housing, transport and land use in the National Park.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), incl. the '30x30' target
Objectives:
Global commitment to protect and restore 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030, and to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Reinforces the priority to be given to biodiversity net gain, habitat connectivity and nature recovery within the SA Framework, given the National Park's role in the wider ecological network.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
Objectives:
Requires the protection and wise use of internationally important wetland sites.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Relevant to the SA baseline where designated wetland features (e.g. within the North York Moors' river valleys and mire habitats) could be affected by plan proposals.
National
National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
Objectives:
The Act established the National Parks with the twin purposes of conservation and public enjoyment.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The twin purposes will need to be the guiding principles for the Local Plan.
Objectives:
Establishes the statutory framework for environmental governance post-EU exit, including biodiversity net gain, Local Nature Recovery Strategies, species abundance targets, and the biodiversity duty on public authorities.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Underpins SA objectives on biodiversity and requires the Local Plan to secure measurable net gains for biodiversity; the SA baseline should draw on the Authority's Biodiversity Duty Statement (2023) and the North Yorkshire and York LNRS.
Objectives:
Established National Park Authorities with revised twin purposes and a duty to pursue these purposes to “seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities.”
Implications for the Local Plan:
This additional duty will also need to be expressed through the Local Plan.
English National Parks and the Broads – UK Government Vision and Circular (DEFRA, 2010)
Objectives:
Includes the following vision:
By 2030 English National Parks and the Broads will be places where:
- There are thriving, living, working landscapes notable for their natural beauty and cultural heritage. They inspire visitors and local communities to live within environmental limits and to tackle climate change. The wide range of services they provide (from clean water to sustainable food) are in good condition and valued by society.
- Sustainable development can be seen in action. The communities of the Parks take an active part in decisions about their future. They are known for having been pivotal in the transformation to a low carbon society and sustainable living. Renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, low carbon transport and travel and healthy, prosperous communities have long been the norm.
- Wildlife flourishes and habitats are maintained, restored and expanded and linked effectively to other ecological networks. Woodland cover has increased and all woodlands are sustainably managed, with the right trees in the right places. Landscapes and habitats are managed to create resilience and enable adaptation.
- Everyone can discover the rich variety of England’s natural and historic environment and have the chance to value them as places for escape, adventure, enjoyment, inspiration and reflection, and a source of national pride and identity. They will be recognised as fundamental to our prosperity and well-being.
Sets out key outcomes for the next 5 years:
- A renewed focus on achieving Park Purposes;
- Leading the way in adapting and mitigating climate change;
- A diverse and healthy natural environment, enhanced cultural heritage and inspiring lifelong behaviour change towards sustainable living and enjoyment of the countryside;
- Foster and maintain vibrant, healthy and productive living and working communities;
- Working in partnership to maximize the benefits delivered.
The Circular also sets out the National Parks will work towards the delivery of affordable housing and that National Parks are not suitable locations for unrestricted market housing development.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Circular’s outcomes will need to be expressed and delivered upon in the Local Plan. Possibilities for the delivery of affordable housing will need to be explored.
National Planning Policy Framework 2026
Objectives:
The NPPF is the main expression of Central Government’s planning policies and what it expects local planning authorities to include in their plans.
It states that the broad roles of planning are:
- Economic role – contributing to building a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by ensuring that sufficient land of the right type is available in the right places and at the right time to support growth and innovation; and by identifying and coordinating development requirements, including provision of infrastructure.
- Social role – supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities by providing the supply of housing required to meet the needs of present and future generations; and by creating a high quality built environment, with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs and support its health, social and cultural well-being.
- Environmental role – contributing to protecting and enhancing our natural, built and historic environment; and, as part of this, helping to improve biodiversity, use natural resources prudently, minimise waste and pollution, and mitigate and adapt to climate change including moving to a low carbon economy.
Of particular note:
- Includes a wholly restructured Framework separating plan-making policies from national decision-making policies (NDMPs), a revised approach to the presumption in favour of sustainable development, and provision for the Nature Restoration Fund under the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
- There is an expectation that Local Plans should not duplicate or replicate National Decision-Making Policies.
- There is a presumption in favour of sustainable development which must be enshrined within Local Plans. This presumption applies in all cases within settlements and in a limited range of circumstances outside settlements.
- The expectation is that plans will meet the ‘objectively assessed’ need for new housing, unless restrictions need to be made to protect the National Park.
- The NPPF recognises that development may need to be restricted where policies relate to national landscape designations such as National Parks.
- It states that an element of market housing may be acceptable of rural ‘exceptions’ sites here it can help cross subsidise affordable housing.
- The NPPF seeks the promotion of sustainable transport, the need to grow and diversify the rural economy, the need to address and adapt to climate change, the need to avoid areas of flood risk and the need to protect and enhance important wildlife habitats and the historic environment.
- Finally, it set out a number of pieces of evidence that must be collected to support plan-making, including housing and economic need assessments and land availability studies, open space and flood risk assessment and economic viability assessment. Accompanying guidance sets out the requirements for production of this evidence.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Plan will need comply with the NPPF if it is to be found ‘sound’ at independent examination. This includes provision of a full evidence base to support the plan. The NPPF was last updated in 2026.
National Planning Practice Guidance (online guidance)
Objectives:
Online guidance which provides further detail on the interpretation and application of national policy.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The plan will need to comply with this guidance.
Objectives:
Reforms the local plan-making system, introduces Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs) – not yet in operation - and the Nature Restoration Fund as an alternative delivery route for environmental obligations, and sets new statutory timetable, scoping and consultation duties (regulations 8, 19 and 20).
Implications for the Local Plan:
Directly governs the procedural framework, evidence base and stakeholder engagement requirements for both the Local Plan and this SA/SEA process; the SA scoping and consultation stages must be run in accordance with the new regulatory timetable.
Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023
Objectives:
Introduced Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs) as an intended future replacement for SEA/SA (not yet commenced for plan-making), alongside wider reforms to plan-making, infrastructure levy and design coding.
Section 245 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) amends the duty on relevant authorities in respect of their functions which affect land in National Parks, National Landscapes, and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads (collectively referred to as Protected Landscapes) in England.
Relevant authorities must now ‘seek to further’ the statutory purposes of Protected Landscapes. This replaces the previous duty on relevant authorities to ‘have regard to’ their statutory purposes.
The duty is intended to facilitate better outcomes for England’s Protected Landscapes, which are in line with their statutory purposes. The duty does not prevent relevant authorities from undertaking their statutory functions and discharging their legal duties and other responsibilities. The duty is intended to complement these requirements by ensuring that the purposes for which Protected Landscapes are designated for are recognised in reaching decisions and undertaking activities that impact these areas.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The SA/SEA approach in this report follows the current Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 regime; the position should be kept under review should EOR Regulations for plans be commenced during plan preparation.
The 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment, DEFRA (2018)
Objectives:
The environment plan sets out the UK government’s goals for improving the environment within a generation and leaving it in a better state than we found it. It details how government will work with communities and businesses to do this. Main goals include: delivering clean air and clean and plentiful water; ensuring thriving plants and wildlife and a growing and resilient network of land, water and sea that is richer in plants and wildlife; reducing the risks of harm from environmental hazards including flooding, drought and coastal erosion; using resources from nature more sustainably and efficiently; enhancing beauty, heritage and engagement with the natural environment; mitigating and adapting to climate change; minimise waste; enhance biosecurity to protect our wildlife and livestock, and boost the resilience of plants and trees.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Ensure policies consider the emerging challenges and the key goals identified in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, including the need to improve air quality and tackle the climate emergency through sustainable development, applying the biodiversity net gain principle and the use of nature based solutions.
Environmental Improvement Plan DEFRA (2023)
Objectives:
First revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan
Implications for the Local Plan:
As above.
Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services, DEFRA (2011)
Objectives:
A Vision for England By 2050 our land and seas will be rich in wildlife, our biodiversity will be valued, conserved, restored, managed sustainably and be more resilient and able to adapt to change, providing essential services and delivering benefits for everyone. Our mission is to halt overall biodiversity loss, support healthy well-functioning ecosystems and establish coherent ecological networks, with more and better places for nature for the benefit of wildlife and people.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Plans should proactively consider biodiversity value (including of aquatic environments) when assessing policies and potential site allocations.
Objectives:
The Act sets up a framework for the UK to achieve its long-term goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure steps are taken towards adapting to the impact of climate change. It sets targets for UK greenhouse gas emission reductions of at least net zero by 2050 (this was originally 80% but was updated to 100% in June 2019) and CO2 emission reductions of at least 26% by 2015, against a 1990 baseline.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Local Plans are legally required to contain policies which contribute to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change, in line with the Climate Change Act.
Confirms the need for distinct SA objectives on both climate change mitigation and adaptation, including flood risk, water scarcity and landscape/habitat resilience specific to the North York Moors' exposed upland and coastal fringe.
National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy, Environment Agency (2020)
Objectives:
The Strategy has three core ambitions concerning future risk and investment needs: 1. Climate resilient places: working with partners to bolster resilience to flooding and coastal change across the nation, both now and in the face of climate change 2. Today’s growth and infrastructure resilient in tomorrow’s climate: Making the right investment and planning decisions to secure sustainable growth and environmental improvements, as well as resilient infrastructure. 3. A nation ready to respond and adapt to flooding and coastal change: Ensuring local people understand their risk to flooding and coastal change and know their responsibilities and how to take action.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Plans need to ensure that development and supporting infrastructure are designed to be flooding-resilient.
Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework 2024
Objectives:
This sets out a shared ambition for National Parks, based around non-statutory targets relating to nature recovery and resilience, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and enhancement of natural beauty, heritage and community engagement.
Implications for the Local Plan:
This Framework requires that landscape, heritage, biodiversity and climate change considerations are embedded into National Park management and planning policy.
Safeguarding our Soils – A Strategy for England, DEFRA (2009)
Objectives:
Sets out how England’s soils will be managed sustainably. It highlights those areas which Defra will prioritise and focus attention in tackling degradation threats, including better protection for agricultural soils; protecting and enhancing stores of soil carbon; building the resilience of soils to a changing climate; preventing soil pollution; effective soil protection during construction and; dealing with contaminated land.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Plans should consider soil status and protection as a critical factor in land allocations.
Third National Adaptation Programme 2023
Objectives:
Explains the government’s plans to adapt to climate change over the next 5 years from 2023 to 2028, including:
- Protecting the natural environment
- Supporting business in adapting to climate change
- Adapting infrastructure (for example, our electricity networks and railways)
- Protecting buildings and their surroundings (for example, from hotter temperatures)
- Protecting public health and communities
- Mitigating international impacts on the UK (for example, on food supplies imported from abroad)
Implications for the Local Plan:
Plans should ensure that an appropriate response to the climate crisis is embedded throughout all policies.
The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations (2017)
Objectives:
The Water Environment (WFD) establishes a legislative framework for the protection of surface waters (including rivers, lakes and coastal waters) and ground waters. The overall aims and objectives of the WFD are to: enhance the status and prevent further deterioration of surface water bodies, ground water bodies and their ecosystems; ensure progressive reduction of groundwater pollution; reduce pollution of water, especially by priority substances and certain other pollutants, as set out in the list of chemicals for Water Framework Directive assessments; contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts; achieve at least good surface water status for all surface water bodies and good chemical status in ground water bodies or good ecological potential in the case of artificial or heavily modified water bodies; and promote sustainable water use.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Plans should have regard to the need to maintain and where appropriate improve water quality. Localised objectives will be set through Environment Agency’s individual River Basin Management Plans
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended
Objectives:
Implements Directive 79/409/EEC (see above) Outlines the statutory obligations on nature conservation. Provides for the notification of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Sets out requirements in relation to Public Rights of Way.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan should be consistent with the National Park purposes and duty and comply with the Act.
Natural Environment White Paper 2011: The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature.
Objectives:
The White Paper sets out five overarching objectives:
- Protecting and improving our natural environment
- Growing a green economy
- Reconnecting people and nature
- International and EU leadership
- Monitoring and reporting
Implications for the Local Plan:
The paper sets out the Government’s intention to take a strategic approach to planning for nature within and across local areas. This approach will guide development to the best locations, encourage, greener design and enable development to enhance natural networks. The intention is to retain the protection and improvement of the natural environment as core objectives of the planning system, and this will need to be reflected throughout the objectives and policies of the Local Plan.
The paper also promotes the ‘ecosystem services’ approach.
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
Objectives:
This sets out a duty on public bodies to conserve biodiversity. It also contains legislation on Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Rights of Way.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan will need to comply with the Act by ensuring that policies are included to maintain and enhance biodiversity.
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW)
Objectives:
Amended the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act. Establishes open access rights and provides greater powers for protection of SSSIs.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan should ensure that new development provides appropriate protection for areas of SSSI in the North York Moors National Park.
National Air Quality Strategy (DEFRA 2007)
Objectives:
Sets standards for air quality which should not be exceeded
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan should ensure that air quality standards should not be compromised by new development.
UK Post 2010 Biodiversity Framework (2012)
Objectives:
The Framework covers the period from 2011 to 2020 and was developed in response to two main drivers: the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD’s) Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its 5 strategic goals and 20 ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’, published in October 2010; and the EU Biodiversity Strategy (EUBS), released in May 2011.
The Framework shows how the work of the four UK countries joins up with work at a UK level to achieve the ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’ and the aims of the EU biodiversity strategy.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan will need to take account of Biodiversity Action Plan
Objectives:
Aims include ensuring that: the marine environment and its resources are used to maximise sustainable activity, prosperity and opportunities for all, now and in the future; use of the marine environment is benefiting society as a whole, contributing to resilient and cohesive communities that can adapt to coastal erosion and flood risk, as well as contributing to physical and mental wellbeing; Healthy marine and coastal habitats occur across their natural range and are able to support strong, biodiverse biological communities and the functioning of healthy, resilient and adaptable marine ecosystems.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Plan needs to ensure that policies and allocations do not harm the water environment. The Marine Management Organisation are included under the Duty to Co-operate.
UK Government Statement on the Historic Environment for England (DCMS, 2010)
Objectives:
Sets out the following vision: That the value of the historic environment is recognised by all who have the power to shape it; that Government gives it proper recognition and that it is managed intelligently and in a way that fully realises its contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of the nation.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Consideration needs to be made towards contributing to this vision.
Defra Rights of Way Circular 01/09.
Objectives:
The circular gives advice to local authorities on recording, managing and maintaining, protecting and changing public rights of way.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan will need to recognise the importance and status of rights of way and develop policy accordingly.
Sub-Regional
York and North Yorkshire Devolution Deal and Mayoral Strategy (Combined Authority established 2024)
Objectives:
Establishes the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and its Mayor, with devolved powers and funding across transport, housing, adult education, and net zero, and a strategic role in influencing sub-regional growth.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Sets the sub-regional economic and housing growth context within which the Local Plan's housing and economic requirements should be considered and identifies potential funding routes for infrastructure supporting sustainable development.
York and North Yorkshire’s Housing Growth Strategy
Objectives:
Sets out an ambition that York and North Yorkshire will accelerate the provision of housing, driving the delivery of 60,000 new homes over the next decade, of which at least 25,000 will be affordable. Key priorities are accelerating housing development, increasing affordable housing supply and delivering warm and efficient homes.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The preparation of the Local Plan is a direct aim of the Strategy.
North Yorkshire Council Economic Growth Strategy 2024-2029
Objectives:
Sets out a vision for the area to be an innovative, carbon negative economy driven by our productive and entrepreneurial business base and the places & communities that make North Yorkshire distinctive.
Recognises that the area contains some of Britain’s finest coastline, two national parks and three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty all contribute hugely to North Yorkshire’s character and economy, and present opportunities for further growth whilst also protecting the characteristics which make them so special.
Recognises that there are opportunities to heighten and promote the quality and distinctiveness of experience in our places and capitalise on food and drink and family-based offers. However, challenges remain, such as how to maximise the value and environmental sustainability of tourism - not just visitor numbers; how to enhance the quality and pay of jobs within the sector to support inclusive growth; and how to address workforce and labour challenges.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan need to contribute towards the aims of the Strategy.
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Rural Action Plan (approved July 2026)
Objectives:
Sets out priorities for the rural economy, rural housing and rural services across York and North Yorkshire, including a target of 5,000 additional rural homes.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Directly relevant to the Local Plan's approach to rural housing need, affordability and service-critical communities; the SA should test plan options against the Rural Action Plan's rural housing and economic objectives.
Emerging York and North Yorkshire Spatial Development Strategy
Objectives:
Will set the statutory strategic spatial framework for the Combined Authority area once adopted, including strategic housing and employment distribution.
Implications for the Local Plan:
In an early scoping phase. An emerging document at the time of writing; the SA Framework and Local Plan evidence base should be kept under review as the Spatial Development Strategy progresses, to ensure conformity once it is adopted.
City of York, North York Moors and North Yorkshire County Minerals and Waste Joint Local Plan – 2022
Objectives:
The draft plan contains twelve objectives, the most relevant of which are:
- Encouraging the management of waste further up the hierarchy
- Ensuring an adequate supply of minerals and safeguarding important minerals resources
- Protecting the natural and historic environment, landscapes and tranquil areas of the Joint Plan area
- Delivering benefits for biodiversity, recreation opportunities and
- Climate change adaptation through reclamation of minerals workings
Implications for the Local Plan:
Updated minerals and waste policies will be included in the new Local Plan
Local Transport Plan for North Yorkshire (emerging, under the Combined Authority)
Objectives:
Will set out the sub-regional strategy for sustainable transport, active travel and decarbonisation of the transport network.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Relevant to the SA's objectives on sustainable transport, air quality and accessibility, particularly given the rurality of the National Park and reliance on the private car.
North Yorkshire Local Transport Plan 4 2016 - 2045 (North Yorkshire County Council, 2016)
Objectives:
The following objectives are included:
- Economic growth
- Environment and climate change
- Improving road and transport safety
- Access to services
- Promoting healthier travel opportunities
The Plan includes the range of strategic transport priorities which are included in the YNYER Strategic Economic Plan, prepared by the North Yorkshire and East Riding (YNYER) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan should incorporate the objectives of the emerging LTP4. Work has commenced on a new LTP for York and North Yorkshire.
The North Yorkshire Local Flood Risk Strategy 2022-2027 Consultation Draft
Objectives:
Aims to provide: 1. A greater role for communities in managing flood risk; Improved knowledge and understanding of flood risk and management responsibilities within NYCC and amongst partners, stakeholders, communities and the media; utilising sustainable drainage where ever possible; Improved knowledge of watercourse network and drainage infrastructure; flood risk management measures that deliver social, economic and environmental benefits; best use of all potential funding opportunities to deliver flood risk management measures
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan will need to be supported by up to date evidence on flood risk. A specific Strategic Flood Risk Assessment will be prepared.
The Humber River Basin Management Plan, 2022, Northumbria River Basin Action Plan, 2022
Objectives:
River Basin Management Plans are statutory plans which deliver the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive. They identify the current status of waters in England and Wales and propose a programme of actions, including water body status objectives, to protect and improve the aquatic environment. The Government is currently consulting on updated River Basin Management Plans.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Plan needs to ensure that policies and allocations do not harm the water environment.
Objectives:
Catchment Flood Management Plans aim to:
- Reduce the risk of flooding and harm to people, the natural, historic and built environment caused by floods;
- Maximise opportunities to work with natural processes and to deliver multiple benefits from flood risk management, and make an effective contribution to sustainable development;
- Support the implementation of EU directives, the delivery of Government and other stakeholder policies and targets, and the Agency’s Environmental Vision; and
- Promote sustainable flood risk management.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Plan needs to ensure that policies and allocations do not harm the water environment. Informs the SA's water quality, flood risk and water resources baseline; plan proposals should support, and not compromise, the achievement of good ecological status in watercourses draining the National Park.
Shoreline Management Plan - The River Tyne to Flamborough Head Shoreline Management Plan 2
Objectives:
A Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) provides a large-scale assessment of the risks associated with coastal evolution and presents a policy framework to address these risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment in a sustainable manner.
Implications for the Local Plan:
This identifies the most sustainable approach to managing the coastline’s flood and erosion risks and should be taken into consideration in the development of the emerging local plan.
North Yorkshire Council Climate Change Strategy 2023-2030
Objectives:
Identifies key themes of: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions; Preparing for a changing climate and Supporting Nature to Thrive. It seeks a move towards a lower energy and carbon built environment, lower carbon transport, a circular economy, opportunities for storage of carbon. It promotes nature based solutions to cooling and flood reduction and the need to ensure resilient nature conservation sites and corridors.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The new Local Plan will need to address these themes through strategic policy and site allocations as relevant.
North Yorkshire Housing Strategy 2024-2029
Objectives:
Its themes include: Meeting the housing needs of people at different stages of life, Growing the supply of affordable and available housing; Addressing the rural housing crisis; Supporting communities through neighbourhood renewal and regeneration; decarbonising the housing stock for increased energy efficiency and reduction of fuel poverty.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The new Local Plan will need to address these themes through strategic policy and site allocations as relevant.
North Yorkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (2026)
Objectives:
Sets out an ambition that the York and North Yorkshire area will, by 2035, be an exemplar for abundant nature, and that we will leave our natural environment in a better state for people and wildlife species, while supporting a prospering economy and addressing climate change.
This is to be achieved through:
- Restoring nature’s way of doing things, like recreating floodplains to manage flooding better;
- Producing food, fuel and timber in a nature friendly way;
- Connecting people to nature by helping people become more aware of it, our responsibility to it and the health and wellbeing benefits it can provide;
- Managing our water sustainably for both people and wildlife;
- Enhancing the character of our area
It sets out detailed priorities and proposed actions to promote nature recovery and resilience.
Implications for the Local Plan:
This ambition and themes are all relevant to matters expected to be addressed in the Local Plan. Provides an up-to-date spatial evidence base for the SA's biodiversity and green infrastructure objectives, including areas of particular importance for biodiversity and potential nature recovery areas within and adjoining the National Park.
Tees Valley Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Objectives:
A Local nature Recovery Strategy for the Tees Valley is in preparation, with a draft expected to be published later in 2026. The North York Moors National Park lies adjacent to the Tees Valley area and the Authority is a supporting partner in production of the new Strategy.
Implications for the Local Plan:
When available, the new Strategy will be expected to be of relevance to nature recovery considerations across the National Park boundary, and it is expected to be of relevance to the development of new natural environment planning policies within the National Park.
Local
North York Moors National Park Management Plan 2022
Objectives:
The Management Plan (as updated in 2022) has been prepared as a multi-agency document and shows how National Park statutory purposes will be supported and delivered. It:
Sets out a collective ‘Vision’ for how we want the National Park to be in twenty years’ time.
Includes a revised set of ‘Special Qualities’ that defines the essence of what makes this National Park so distinctive.
Describes six main outcomes that we want to see happening over the next twenty years.
Sets out 24 supporting objectives that will help us achieve the vision and outcomes.
The ‘special qualities’:
- A surprising range of contrasting landscapes, with extensive views.
- A diverse mix of upland, lowland and coastal habitats, home to a rich variety of wildlife.
- A place with strong, visible links to its cultural heritage.
- A variety of distinctive places and communities, creating a sense of local identity, culture, tradition and pride.
- A place of escape from towns and cities, offering a true sense of remoteness and the darkest of skies.
- A source of physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
The Management Plan vision:
By 2040 the North York Moors National Park will be a resilient landscape at the forefront of addressing climate change and nature recovery. It will be a biodiverse, beautiful and varied place that’s proud of its cultural heritage, all of which lift the nation’s health and well-being. It will be a place with a diverse, innovative, low carbon economy and home to thriving, welcoming local communities.
The Vision for the North York Moors is based on six key outcomes that we and our partners aspire to bring about:
Outcome 1 – A resilient landscape at the forefront of addressing climate change and nature recovery.
Outcome 2 - A nature rich, more biodiverse landscape.
Outcome 3 - A landscape rich in heritage and highly valued for its sense of remoteness and tranquillity.
Outcome 4 – A place that lifts the nation’s health and well-being.
Outcome 5 –A place that supports a diverse and innovative low carbon economy.
Outcome 6 – A place of great beauty where local communities thrive.
Each outcome is supported by one or more detailed objectives.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The aspirations of and policies in the Management Plan should be fully integrated into the Local Plan. This should include a common set of visions and objectives where possible.
The Management Plan specifically identifies a number of ‘objectives’. Where these have a land use related dimension they are likely to need to be translated into the new Local Plan. Key relevant objectives include:
- Objective 1 - The National Park should play a significant part in achieving the regional ambition of being a carbon negative economy by 2040.
- Objective 4 - Protect, restore and improve soils across the National Park.
- Objective 5 – Achieve good ecological status for all water bodies by 2027 and support the improvement of the marine and coastal habitat.
- Objective 6 - Create bigger, better and more joined-up habitats, with nature-rich wildlife corridors extending beyond the National Park boundaries.
- Objective 7 - Restore wilder and more naturally functioning ecosystems on at least 2,000 hectares in the National Park.
- Objective 8 - Work with our moorland community to support the sustainable management of moorland to ensure it retains its intrinsic character and supports a greater variety and abundance of species and habitats.
- Objective 9 - Increase the intrinsic darkness of the National Park International Dark Sky Reserve by expanding the current dark sky core zone by twenty percent by 2027.
- Objective 10 – Work to maintain and improve the sense of peace and tranquillity, including through the protection of its remotest areas.
- Objective 11 – Ensure that our historic environment is better understood, conserved, explained and under appropriate management; and work with partners to reduce the number of identified Designated Heritage Assets at Risk.
- Objective 17 - Work with businesses to establish regenerative tourism as a guiding principle and encourage visitors to make a positive contribution to the National Park.
- Objective 18 - Provide opportunities that attract, upskill and retain a local workforce working in high-value, knowledge-intensive jobs and the ‘green’ or ‘landscape’ economy.
- Objective 19 - Maintain a strong and viable farming and land management community that delivers more for climate, nature, people and place.
- Objective 20 - Increase opportunities for residents and visitors to travel sustainably in the National Park.
- Objective 21 - Increase the delivery of affordable housing above 2010-2020 levels to build at least 100 affordable homes in villages across the National Park by 2027; and press for changes to control the conversion of housing to second or holiday homes.
- Objective 22 - Work to establish the North York Moors National Park as a leader in low-cost, low-carbon, housing design through the development of at least one new-build exemplar scheme; and promote the deployment of sustainable materials and responsible retrofitting measures in historic buildings to secure their long-term future.
- Objective 23 - Enable resilient communities where residents can meet their basic needs, by identifying any existing gaps in provision and developing community hubs to service a wider catchment or areas where services can be shared.
- Objective 24 - Facilitate local solutions to ensure superfast broadband and/or mobile phone coverage is available to 100 percent of households in the National Park by 2030.
These objectives indicate a need to include policies for or a strategy to deliver the protection (or improvement) of landscape, historic environment and biological assets, to better connect wildlife sites, and to protect dark skies, geological assets, air quality and tranquillity. The Heritage Coast is to be protected, the shooting industry supported and agricultural diversification and economic development in rural areas supported. Affordable housing is to be built and we will resist the closure of local services. The need to travel will be reduced and the best use made of renewable energy technologies and waste minimisation techniques.
North York Moors Local Housing Needs Assessment, July 2025
Objectives:
Produced by Iceni Consultants, the report examines housing needs over the 2023 to 2045 period. The geographic scope of the report is the North York Moors National Park, which extends outside of North Yorkshire and into Redcar and Cleveland. It looks at house prices, incomes, housing need and makes recommendations about the amount of housing need that should be planned for in the Local Plan.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The assessment provides the primary evidence base for determining housing need across the National Park and should directly inform the housing requirement, tenure mix, affordability policies and settlement strategy within the Local Plan.
North York Moors National Park Authority Decarbonisation Plan 2023–2030
Objectives:
Sets out the Authority's pathway to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, including an interim target to reduce Authority emissions by 75% by 2027.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Relevant to the SA's climate change mitigation objective and to the Local Plan's approach to low-carbon development, retrofit and renewable energy.
Objectives:
Sets out the Authority's policies and objectives for conserving and enhancing biodiversity under the strengthened duty in the Environment Act 2021.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Provides a local evidence source for the SA biodiversity baseline and should be cross-referenced with the North Yorkshire and York LNRS.
Objectives:
NCA profiles are descriptive tools to guide policy making. It includes five ‘Statements of Environmental Opportunity’ (SEO). These are:
- SEO 1: Protect and positively manage the large areas of open, expansive moorland for the internationally important habitats and species that they support, for the sense of wildness and strong character of the areas, for their ability to sequester carbon, and for the benefits that well managed moorland bring for water quality and flood control.
- SEO 2: Conserve, enhance and promote the special qualities of the coast, inshore waters and sheltered harbours allowing the operation of natural coastal processes, and the creation of new habitats. Manage the development and recreational needs of coastal settlements and secure a sustainable future for communities that are dependent on inshore fisheries.
- SEO 3: Protect and improve access to and quiet enjoyment of the countryside, particularly in the North York Moors National Park, conserving the sense of tranquillity and relative remoteness, maintaining public access to the landscape, encouraging specialist forms of recreation appropriate to the area, conserving and providing interpretation of its history and numerous archaeological, biological and geological assets, and protecting the strong sense of place.
- SEO 4: Seek opportunities to restore lowland fens, reed beds, flood plain grazing marsh, flushes and riparian habitat to enhance biodiversity and contribute to regulating flood flows, enhancing water quality, aquifer recharge, carbon sequestration and storage, leading to benefits being experienced within the NCA and beyond.
- SEO 5: Positively manage woodlands, trees, wood pasture and historic parklands for their contribution to the characteristic landscapes of the area, their priority habitats and the species that they support, as well as their potential for carbon storage, regulation of peak flood flows and provision of renewable materials.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Heavily informs landscape character assessment work. The NCA also examines ecosystems services relevant to the North York Moors National Park. The NCA also includes a wealth of descriptive material and facts and figures that will help inform the Plan.
North York Moors Landscape Character Assessment 2021
Objectives:
The LCA 2021 update provides a robust and up-to-date evidence base to support decision-making on planning and landscape management for the National Park Authority. The updated Landscape Character Assessment reflects current best practice in landscape and seascape assessment methodology. It considers the changes which have occurred within the National Park and its setting over the past 20 years. It considers the forces for change acting on the National Park’s landscapes now and looks ahead to those likely to occur over the coming decade.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The 2021 LCA forms an important part of the evidence base for local plan work and is relevant to the development of both strategic planning policy and development management policy and site allocations.
North York Moors Nature Recovery Plan
Objectives:
This Nature Recovery Plan sets out the priorities and actions needed to deliver nature recovery within the North York Moors National Park. It provides parties with an interest in nature recovery within the National Park with guidance on where individual or collective actions can have most impact. It includes more detail on how the nature recovery objectives in the National Park Management Plan, can be achieved and supports the ‘strengthened biodiversity duty’ on all public authorities under the Environment Act 2021. It will help inform Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) being prepared for the North Yorkshire/York and Tees Valley areas.
It identifies a number of key priorities for nature recovery, themed around: landscape scale thinking; farming; moorland; grassland; trees and woodland; rivers, water and wetlands; coastal and marine; species.
Implications for the Local Plan:
This Plan is likely to contain material of relevance to the development of both strategic planning policy and development management policy and site allocations.
Objectives:
The plan provides a high level overview of the issues (both current and predicted) affecting the condition of the Natura 2000 features on the site(s) and outlines the priority measures required to improve the condition of the features.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Local Plan will need to contain protectionist policies to maintain and enhance biodiversity.
Objectives:
The Management Plan 2019-2024 provides a framework for partnership by helping all those who have an interest and involvement in the Howardian Hills to see ways in which their decisions can contribute to looking after the area.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The Howardian Hills is adjacent to the National Park and therefore the Local Plan will need to consider its Management Plan objectives and how the LURA duty can be supported through local planning policy.
The Helmsley Local Plan 2015 (jointly prepared with the former Ryedale District Council)
Objectives:
To provide sufficient land for a mix of housing which meets the existing and future needs of the existing population, providing opportunities for managed growth of the town over the plan period, whilst safeguarding and enhancing the landscape of the National Park.
To support the existing economy by ensuring there is further land available for the expansion of local businesses and to provide a range of employment opportunities for local people.
To conserve and enhance the special qualities of the town so that it remains a popular destination for visitors and maintains the role of Helmsley as a market town serving a wide hinterland of rural communities including those within the National Park.
Retain the historic character of the town including the setting of the Duncombe Park Estate, Helmsley Castle and the North York Moors National Park.
Implications for the Local Plan:
This plan, adopted in July 2015 sets out policies for the area of Helmsley that falls within the National Park boundary (the remainder is within Ryedale District). It includes housing, employment and open space allocations as well as policies on retail, design, renewable energy, green infrastructure and developer contributions.
The new Local Plan will need to review the policy approach in this location.
Objectives:
To make Whitby Business Park a more attractive destination and facilitate expansion of the site to support Whitby’s role as an employment centre and to provide more employment opportunities in the town.
To improve vehicle and pedestrian movement through the Business Park by connecting the major roads within the site and provide a choice of transport modes to/from and around the Business Park by creating cycle and pedestrian routes linking it with the local highway network and the rest of the town.
To identify where there are problems with the capacity of the infrastructure serving the site, in particular drainage, electricity and broadband and deliver improvements to those services.
To address existing problems and open up new land for development and expansion of the Business Park.
landscaping to reinforce the network of green infrastructure through the site together with good quality signage and street furniture.
To create a low carbon Business Park by incorporating sustainable design and construction into all new buildings and offset carbon emissions by requiring a proportion of the energy required for new development to come from renewable sources where practical and viable.
Implications for the Local Plan:
This plan, adopted in November 2014 sets out policies for the area of Whitby Business Park that falls within the National Park boundary (the remainder is within Scarborough borough). It includes employment and open space allocations as well as policies on design, retail, infrastructure and accessibility.
The new Local Plan will need to review the policy approach in this location.
It is intended that the new Local Plan will cover the area of the National Park within the Business Park, to continue or amend strategic level policies for the National Park currently set out.
Made and emerging Neighbourhood Plans, including the Ingleby Arncliffe Neighbourhood Plan (made 2021) and the cross-boundary Guisborough Neighbourhood Plan (emerging, straddling Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and NYMNPA)
Objectives:
Community-led plans setting local planning policy within defined neighbourhood areas, which form part of the statutory development plan once made.
Implications for the Local Plan:
The SA should identify made and emerging neighbourhood plans as part of the local policy baseline, with particular attention to cross-boundary consistency for Guisborough given the split administrative area.
The North Yorkshire Local Plan (forthcoming)
Objectives:
Work on a new North Yorkshire Local Plan began in June 2026. Scoping consultation is due to start in October 2026. No objectives have been established yet.
Implications for the Local Plan:
At the time of writing no strategic cross boundary issues have been identified.
Redcar and Cleveland Local Plan 2018
Objectives:
The Local Plan seeks to deliver three key themes:
Grow our economy and create more jobs;
Develop great places to live;
Improve quality of life.
The Plan recognises the significance of the environment of the adjacent North York Moors National Park and the presence of settlements in Redcar and Cleveland such as Guisborough and Loftus, which lie in close proximity to the National Park boundary.
Implications for the Local Plan:
Under the Duty to Co-operate full account must be taken of any potential cross boundary issues that we require a joined up approach to Plan Making.
This matter will need to be considered in more detail during preparation of the Local Plan.
Last updated: 31 Oct 2026