Planning in Northumberland

Community services and facilities

1. The loss of community services and facilities, that provide for the health and wellbeing, social, educational, spiritual, recreational, leisure or cultural needs of the community will not be supported unless: a. appropriate alternative provision is made; or b. suitable and sufficient evidence can be provided to demonstrate that there is no longer a need for the facility to serve the community in its existing use or as an alternative community use; and c. suitable and sufficient evidence can be provided to demonstrate that its continued current use is no longer economically viable. 2. Improvement in the quantity, quality, accessibility and range of community services and facilities, and the provision of new services and facilities where these will meet an identified need will be supported, subject to conformity with policies elsewhere in the Local Plan, and any made neighbourhood plans, which seek to ensure any significant adverse effects on the environment, habitats, heritage assets and local amenity can be avoided through good design and siting of development or that those effects can be suitably compensated for or mitigated. 3. Where opportunities arise through new built development and changes of use, the shared use of facilities, including community use of educational facilities where appropriate, will be supported and secured through planning conditions or planning obligations as appropriate.

Local village convenience shops and public houses

1. Proposals that result in the loss through demolition, redevelopment or change of use of local convenience shops and public houses in villages will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that: a. equivalent accessible provision is available locally; or b. the continued use of the shop or public house for its current use is no longer needed to meet community needs; or c. the continued use of the shop or public house for its current use is no longer economically viable. 2. In applying the tests established in this policy regarding the need for, or viability of the continued use of the building for its community use it will be necessary to demonstrate, with sufficient documentary evidence, to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that the building has been marketed at a price reflecting its current or last use for a period of not less than six months prior to the date of submission of any planning application for its demolition, redevelopment or change of use, and that no reasonable offers have been received to continue the current use of the building.

Assets of Community Value

1. Proposals that involve the loss, redevelopment or change of use of any registered Assets of Community Value, or any part of that asset, will not be supported unless: a. alternative equivalent provision of the services and facilities provided by the asset is secured to meet community needs; or b. it can be demonstrated that the continued use of the asset for its current use is no longer needed to meet community needs; or c. it can be demonstrated that the continued use of the asset for its current use is no longer viable. 2. In applying parts 1(b) and 1(c) of this policy it will be necessary to demonstrate, with sufficient documentary evidence, that the asset has been marketed at a price reflecting its current or last use as a registered Asset of Community Value for a period of not less than six months prior to the date of submission of any planning application for its demolition, redevelopment or change of use, and that no reasonable offers have been received to continue the current or last use of the asset.

Protection, provision and maintenance of open space, sport and recreation

Not fully provided in passage - passage contains justification and context but the operative policy wording for INF 5 is cut off at the end of the provided text

Health and wellbeing (Strategic Policy)

1. Development which promotes, supports and enhances the health and wellbeing of communities, residents, workers and visitors will be supported. 2. Development proposals will be required to demonstrate where relevant, and in a proportionate way, that they: a. are safe, comfortable, inclusive and attractive and prioritise pedestrian and cycle movement; b. have a strong sense of place which encourages community cohesion and social interaction; c. provide access to a range of facilities including public transport, health, education, social care, green spaces, sport, play and leisure facilities; d. include appropriate green and blue infrastructure wherever possible, responding to opportunities to contribute positively towards urban greening; e. are designed to promote and facilitate physical activity, and healthy lifestyles; f. prevent negative impacts on amenity; g. protect, and alleviate risk to people and the environment, support wider public safety, and do not have a negative impact upon ground instability, ground and water contamination, vibration, air and noise pollution. 3. A completed Healthy Planning Checklist will be required to be submitted for all major development proposals to determine whether the potential impact on health resulting from the development warrants any further assessment. Where further assessment is warranted, a proportionate Health Impact Assessment will also be required to be submitted as part of the application process. A Health Impact Assessment will be required to include proposals to mitigate any potential adverse health impacts, maximise potential positive impacts, and help reduce health inequalities.

Design principles (Strategic Policy)

1. In determining planning applications, design will be assessed against the following design principles, where relevant, having regard to the Northumberland Design Guide. Development proposals should: a. Make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness and contribute to a positive relationship between built and natural features, including landform and topography; b. Create or contribute to a strong sense of place and integrate the built form of the development with the site overall, and the wider local area, having particular regard to: i. Building heights; ii. The form, scale and massing, prevailing around the site; iii. The framework of routes and spaces connecting locally and more widely; iv. The pattern of any neighbouring or local regular plot and building widths, and where appropriate, follow existing building lines; v. the need to provide active frontages to the public realm; and vi. distinctive local architectural styles, detailing and materials; c. Be visually attractive and incorporate high quality materials and detailing; d. Respect and enhance the natural, developed and historic environment, including heritage, environmental and ecological assets, and any significant views or landscape setting; e. Ensure that buildings and spaces are functional and adaptable for future uses; f. Facilitate an inclusive, comfortable, user-friendly and legible environment; g. Support health and wellbeing and enhance quality of life; h. Support positive social interaction and a safe and secure environment, including measures where relevant to reduce the risk of crime and the fear of crime; i. Not cause unacceptable harm to the amenity of existing and future occupiers of the site and its surroundings; j. Incorporate, where possible, green infrastructure and opportunities to support wildlife, while minimising impact on biodiversity and contributing to environmental net gains; k. Make provision for efficient use of resources; l. Respond to the climatic conditions of the location and avoid the creation of adverse local climatic conditions; m. Mitigate climate change, and be adaptable to a changing climate; and n. Ensure the longevity of the buildings and spaces, and secure the social, economic and environmental benefits over the lifetime of the development. 2. Great weight will be given to proposals which demonstrate outstanding or innovative design, in line with the requirements set out in national policy and having regard to the relevant guidance in the Northumberland Design Guide.

Good design and amenity

1. Development will be required to provide a high standard of amenity for existing and future users of the development itself and not cause unacceptable harm to the amenity of those living in, working in or visiting the local area. 2. Development proposals will need to ensure that the following criteria are met where applicable, taking into account any relevant cumulative effects and possible mitigation measures: a. The physical presence and design of the development preserves the character of the area and does not have a visually obtrusive or overbearing impact on neighbouring uses, while outlook from habitable areas of the development is not oppressive and the best outcomes for outlook are achieved wherever possible; b. Trees, other green and blue infrastructure and soft landscaping of amenity value are retained where appropriate and are introduced or replaced where they would enhance amenity of the development; c. The appropriate levels of privacy, according to the use of buildings and spaces, are incorporated into the design of the new development and are not unacceptably harmed in existing neighbouring development; d. Air, temperature, sound and light conditions of habitable areas within the development, or resulting from the development, are of an appropriate standard; and e. Neighbouring uses are compatible and that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts from noise, disturbances, odour, gases, other emissions and any other harmful effects, resulting from either the development or from neighbouring uses on the development.

Public realm design principles

1. In addition to the overarching design principles set out in Policy QOP 1, where relevant, the design of the public realm will be expected to: a. Create diverse, vibrant buildings and spaces which contribute to supporting a range of public activity; b. Be physically and socially accessible and inclusive; c. Be clearly defined from private spaces; d. Have a clear hierarchy of routes and spaces, which are faced by active frontages and maximise natural surveillance; e. Prioritise pedestrian and cycle movement and facilitate access to public transport wherever possible; f. Avoid dominance of vehicles and ensure that parking, where included, is sensitively integrated; g. Maximise urban greening, including the use of street trees and other vegetation as appropriate; h. Respond to opportunities to incorporate public art where possible; and i. Incorporate appropriate street furniture, lighting and surface materials.

Delivering well-designed places

1. Proposals are expected to meet the local design expectations set out in design policies within the Plan, having regard to the Northumberland Design Guide, and any other adopted design guidance. 2. Proposals are expected to respond to any character assessments that form part of or support the Plan. 3. Where a Design and Access Statement is required as part of a planning application, there must be a clear and proportionate demonstration of: a. How relevant design policies, the Northumberland Design Guide, character assessments and any other design guidance supporting the Plan, have been integral to the design development process; b. A robust analysis of the context and character of the site and the local area, in addition to the functional requirements of the intended use; c. The design concept and the evolution of the design development through drawings or models, including explanatory text as appropriate; and d. Where relevant, how consultation with communities and other relevant stakeholders has informed the design. 4. Sites forming part of a larger area of development, which are anticipated to be delivered within related timescales, will require a comprehensive masterplan to demonstrate a coordinated design response. 5. Early design discussions, design review and design coding will be supported, facilitated and recommended by the Council where appropriate. 6. Proposals which would materially diminish the standard of design in an already approved scheme will not be supported.

Planning strategy for the economy

1. The Plan will deliver economic growth, while safeguarding the environment and community well-being, so helping to deliver the objectives of the Council's economic strategy. 2. Development proposals will: a. Seek to deliver sufficient employment land and premises of the necessary range and quality and in sustainable locations compatible with the spatial strategy to meet requirements; b. Support both existing and new businesses; c. Support town centres as locations for employment and business; d. Assist the regeneration of existing areas through employment-related measures; e. Support rural enterprise; f. Support and promote tourism and the visitor economy; g. Recognise the role of the County's natural and historic environment as drivers of economic development; h. Support the further development of the County's key infrastructure and the digital economy; i. Recognise the continued importance of military-related activity as a source of employment; j. Facilitate the training and upskilling of the workforce.

Loss or depletion of employment land

1. Within the areas identified in Policies ECN 6, ECN 7 and ECN 8, and subject to the exceptions set out in part 2 of this policy, development for non-employment generating uses, such as housing, will be supported where robust evidence can demonstrate that: a. There is no reasonable prospect of an application coming forward for an employment use; and/or b. There would not be an unacceptable loss of active businesses and jobs; and/or c. There would not be an unacceptable adverse impact on the continuing function of nearby existing businesses and/or the development of available employment land. 2. Development for non-employment generating uses will not be supported, in the following locations: a. any Enterprise Zone; or b. Northumberland Business Park; or c. any other employment area considered key to the delivery of the Council's economic strategy; or d. any employment land area that has been created through a Green Belt deletion e. Where policies in made neighbourhood development plans provide specific controls or limitations on the use or development of land and buildings for employment generating uses.

Employment uses in built-up areas and home working

1. Businesses operated from within built-up areas, including residential areas and people's homes, will be supported, subject to highways, access and amenity considerations, by: a. Allowing small-scale windfall employment sites adjoining existing employment areas, provided that they are not allocated for other uses; b. Permitting business proposals seeking to occupy small sites or buildings within residential or other built-up areas, provided that they are not allocated for other uses or are otherwise protected; c. Allowing for the creation of workspace for home-run businesses involving the conversion of part of a dwelling, its outbuildings, or the development of appropriately scaled new buildings within the dwelling curtilage; d. In appropriate locations, either separately or as an element of a larger housing scheme, supporting and permitting buildings designed as 'live-work' units - part living accommodation, part workspace.

A strategy for rural economic growth (Strategic Policy)

1. The growth of the rural economy will be encouraged through: a. Fostering innovation, promoting digital technologies and enhancing the interconnectedness of rural economies; b. Within constraints, facilitating the formation, growth and up-scaling of businesses in rural locations; c. Safeguarding the rural environment, rural communities and traditional rural businesses upon which the rural economy depends; and d. Supporting rural main towns and service centres as the most accessible and suitable hubs for rural economic growth.

Meeting rural employment needs (Strategic Policy)

1. The role of rural locations in providing employment opportunities, to meet the needs of those living in such areas is recognised. Therefore, in the countryside, development that will generate employment opportunities, proportionate to the rural location, will be supported where all of the following apply: a. Existing buildings are reused or, where this is not possible, extensions or new buildings that contribute positively to local landscape character and, where applicable, local building traditions; b. The proposal is related as closely as possible to the existing settlement pattern, existing services and accessible places; c. It will not have an adverse impact on the operational aspects of local farming or forestry. 2. Within the parameters of the above criteria, particular support will be given to: a. Developments on farms which would add value to farm produce on-site and provide other supply chain opportunities in the County therefore reducing the distance products need to travel during the production process; b. The further diversification and development of educational facilities where these will help to further enhance Northumberland's rural economy and training opportunities for rural professions, particularly those in relation to the County's further and higher education offer; c. Rural enterprise hubs where a number of small businesses are located in a cluster with shared broadband connection and other essential facilities, with preference given to building conversions to house them; and d. Proportionate well related development, necessary for the continued operation in situ of an existing rural business.

Farm / rural diversification

1. Rural diversification developments will be supported if the proposed use is: a. Directly related to agricultural, horticultural or forestry operations, or other activities, which by their nature would require a rural location; and/or b. For leisure, recreation or tourism activities that require open land in a countryside location; and/or c. A business or employment generating use that complies with Policy ECN13. 2. The scale, nature and detailed location of proposals for rural diversification should not prejudice the long (or short-term) operational needs of the host farm or other rural operations; 3. The need for farm diversification will not, on its own, be accepted as a reason for granting permission for a new dwelling in the open countryside, except where it is clearly necessary to accommodate a rural worker to meet the operational needs of a rural business in accordance with Policy HOU 8.

Tourism and visitor development

1. Northumberland will be promoted and developed as a destination for tourists and visitors, while recognising the need to sustain and conserve the environment and local communities. As far as possible, planning decisions will facilitate the potential for Northumberland to be a destination for: a. heritage and cultural visits; b. cycling and walking holidays; c. landscape and nature based tourism; d. themed events, activity holidays; e. dark sky visits; f. weddings; g. out of season offer; and h. food and drink. 2. This will be achieved through the development of new visitor attractions and facilities, accommodation and the expansion of existing tourism businesses, applying the following principles: a. Main Towns and Service Centres will be prioritised for the development of significant new facilities and accommodation; b. Where hotel development of over 2,500 square metres gross floorspace, proposed outside a defined town centre, meets the tests set out in Policy TCS 4 and can therefore be supported, other Main Town Centre Uses that are truly ancillary to the hotel, will not themselves be subject to the sequential test; c. In rural locations outside the settlement boundaries and/or built-up areas of main towns, service centres or service villages, the development of new build, permanent buildings for holiday accommodation of any sort should be small scale and form part of a recognised village or hamlet; d. In the open countryside, visitor accommodation should, wherever possible, be limited to the reuse of buildings that are structurally sound, or to chalets and caravans in accordance with part (f) below. New permanent buildings for visitor accommodation will only be supported where they would: i. demonstrably improve and diversify the County's tourist offer and/or clearly provide necessary accommodation along an established tourist route; and ii. be located as close as is practicable to existing development. e. The development of new build tourist accommodation in Kielder Water and Forest Park will be supported to encourage visitors to spend more time in the park, providing there is no unacceptable adverse environmental impact, including on dark skies; f. New or extensions to existing sites for camping, caravans, and chalets will be supported in accessible locations outside the two AONBs and the World Heritage Site and its buffer zone, provided the development is adequately screened, taking into account short and long range views, by existing topography or vegetation or new good quality landscaping compatible with the surrounding landscape; g. Where there is a proven need to develop buildings, which do not include accommodation but would otherwise serve existing, established visitor or tourist attractions that are located in the open countryside, the reuse of conveniently located, substantial buildings will be preferred. h. Tourism related developments that enhance the environment or bring neglected or underused heritage assets back into appropriate economic use will be strongly supported; i. In open countryside areas outside the two AONBs and the World Heritage Site and its buffer zone, new tourist development requiring larger buildings, totalling more than 500 square metres gross floorspace, in an open land setting, will be assessed on the potential economic gain weighed against any possible harmful impacts and other plan policies. Comprehensive master planning sho

Blyth Estuary Strategic Employment Area (Strategic Policy)

1. Land at Blyth Estuary is allocated as a 'Strategic Employment Area' within which the following sectors within the main employment industrial uses will be prioritised: a. low carbon and related environmental goods and services; b. offshore and sub-sea engineering; c. energy generation sectors with special emphasis on renewable and low carbon; d. development which will support and strengthen the economic role of the Port of Blyth. 2. Other sectors will also be supported within the defined area, particularly if they can demonstrate a link with or reliance on proximity to the above sectors, especially if they have significant land requirements and/or require proximity to the Port. 3. Development proposals in the above categories will be supported where there is no unacceptable adverse impact upon: a. Neighbouring sites of biodiversity importance, including the Northumbria Coast Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site, the Northumberland Marine SPA, the Northumberland Shore Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the Blyth Estuary Local Wildlife Site, including the Mount Pleasant Peninsula; and b. The significance and setting of the Grade II listed Coal Staithes at the former Blyth Power Station site. 4. Within the wider hinterland of Blyth Estuary: a. favourable consideration will be given to proposals which will directly or indirectly support the growth of the Blyth Estuary Strategic Employment Area and its prioritised industrial sectors, especially on key employment sites in South East Northumberland; b. necessary infrastructure improvements will be sought that allow the smooth flow of goods to and from the Port of Blyth and the wider Blyth Estuary area.

West Hartford Prestige Employment Area (Strategic Policy)

1. Land at West Hartford, Cramlington is allocated as a 'Prestige Employment Area' within which the following will be prioritised: a. Large-scale main employment uses requiring a well-defined site of at least 5 hectares, directly accessible from the Core Road Network and with scope to provide each user with a high quality landscape setting; b. Smaller scale main employment uses within Use Class E (Commercial, business and service uses) that require a well-defined site of at least 2 hectares in a high quality landscape setting. Office uses will be limited to those that are not subject to a sequential test or have met the test. 2. Development proposals should be guided by a masterplan or development framework, prepared by, or agreed with the Council, or otherwise demonstrate that they will not reduce or hinder the development options for the wider site. Development proposals should: a. Reflect the intended role of the site defined in part 1 of this policy; b. Make provision for, and be phased to achieve a suitable landscape structure, connections to the rest of Cramlington and with existing public rights of way, non-motorised transport, appropriate environmental mitigation and other measures that will ensure that development is of the highest quality. 3. Development proposals will be supported where there is no unacceptable adverse impact upon: a. Plessey Woods Local Wildlife Site along the River Blyth corridor; and b. The significance of the Grade II Listed farm building group and shelter shed at West Hartford Farm, including any contribution made by its setting.

'Round 2' Enterprise Zones (Strategic Policy)

1. Within the defined sites with Enterprise Zone status at Ramparts Business Park in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Fairmoor north of Morpeth and Ashwood Business Park at Ashington, which form part of the general employment site allocations in Policy ECN 6, support and encouragement will be given to high quality employment in line with the overall strategy of these sites as follows: a. At Ramparts, Berwick-upon-Tweed, high quality business premises in main employment uses, so long as there is no adverse impact on the significance of adjoining battlefield site; b. At Fairmoor, Morpeth, main employment uses within Use Class E (Commercial, business and service uses) particularly knowledge intensive office, light industrial and incubator premises; c. At Ashwood Business Park, Ashington, main employment uses, particularly pharmaceuticals and mixed manufacturing. 2. Other uses will be supported, especially where these support the preferred sectors. 3. Non employment uses will not be supported unless they meet (2) above and there is a clear need for their location within the Enterprise Zone areas. 4. Office uses will be limited to those that are not subject to a sequential test or have met the test.

Large-scale windfall employment development (Strategic Policy)

1. Development proposals for large-scale major business development for main employment uses, either as a standalone proposal or an extension of an existing business, will be supported on land, which is not designated as employment land, provided that it can be robustly demonstrated that: a. The development represents a major inward investment and would provide a significant number of new, permanent jobs; and b. The needs of the business cannot be reasonably met on allocated employment land within the North East Local Enterprise Partnership area; and c. The proposal would not compromise the viability or deliverability of sites allocated for development that are demonstrably deliverable within the Plan period; and d. The development can be satisfactorily accommodated through proposed mitigation measures in relation to the capacities of critical infrastructure, and timescales associated with investment works. e. Office uses will be limited to those that are not subject to a sequential test or have met the test.

General employment land - allocations and safeguarding

1. In order to support the strategic plan for economic development across Northumberland, general employment areas, comprising industrial estates, business parks and some additional land, are allocated, as shown on the Policies Map. 2. It will be recognised that, within established employment areas, certain locations, especially business parks within South East Northumberland, offer the opportunity to add significantly to the range and quality of the County's employment offer, including through functional linkages with the Blyth Estuary Strategic Employment Area defined in Policy ECN 2. 3. The general employment areas allocated in part (1) above will include 78 hectares of land in areas that are additional to the established general employment areas, including 49 hectares at Lynefield Park, regenerating the area of the former Lynemouth aluminium smelter, and additional land allocations to ensure a continued essential supply for towns constrained by the Green Belt. The allocated sites below to be released from the Green Belt to are to meet the identified needs specific to their location, and their uses limited, as follows: a. Hexham, Harwood Meadows, around 10 hectares, for a mix of main employment uses; b. Prudhoe, Eltringham, around 2.5 hectares, for main employment uses, predominantly industrial; c. Ponteland - Prestwick Park, around 2.5 hectares, for small scale rural offices; d. Ponteland - Airport inset, Prestwick Pit, around 3 hectares, for main employment uses, predominantly industrial. 4. The range of land uses that will be supported within general employment areas will be either the main employment uses only, in accordance with Policy ECN 7, or a wider range of employment-generating uses, in accordance with Policy ECN 8. 5. Around 5 hectares of land south of A196 at Coopies Way, Morpeth is safeguarded for long-term employment needs beyond the period of the Local Plan as shown on the Policies Map. This land is not currently allocated for development, but may be allocated to meet employment needs in a future update to the Plan. 6. Where the above allocations involve loss of Green Belt, this will be offset through compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of remaining areas of Green Belt, with priority given to areas close to the allocation sites where appropriate. Such improvements must be agreed with the Council before planning permission is granted and ideally through the pre-application process. Improvements will be secured through: a. Developer contributions towards green infrastructure, cycling and walking infrastructure or sport and recreation projects located within the Green Belt; or b. Planning conditions on adjacent land in the Green Belt, which secure environmental improvements equivalent to the value of the alternative developer financial contributions. 7. In order to ensure that Green Belt boundaries are recognisable and permanent, as part of the development, substantial planting will be required along the boundaries of the allocation sites identified in parts 3a, 3c and 3d of this policy.

Key general employment areas for main employment uses

1. Within the key general employment areas, as delineated on the Policies Map, main employment uses will be supported. Development of wider employment generating activity in these areas will be supported if the development: a. Directly supports and is ancillary to the primary functioning of the site as a location for main employment uses; and b. Will not have a detrimental impact on the functioning of existing or future main employment uses operating on the site; and c. Ensures that main employment uses remain the majority activity on site.

Areas for wider employment-generating uses

1. General employment areas, where employment-generating uses wider than the main employment uses will be supported, are identified on the Policies Map. Within these areas, unless otherwise limited by relevant policies in made neighbourhood development plans, permission will be granted for uses generating permanent on-site employment, provided that they comply with the definition of wider employment generating uses; and: a. The proposed economic activity is compatible with existing businesses on the site and adjoining land uses; and b. The proposal would not generate an unacceptable level of continual access by members of the public who do not work within that employment area.

Additional flexibility in general employment areas

1. Within areas allocated for general employment use in Policy ECN 6, permission for uses wider than the ranges specified in Policies ECN 7 or ECN 8 may be granted if the proposal meets one or more of the following: a. It is ancillary to and will support the main employment-related use of the area; b. It is for part of a larger site or premises and would facilitate the retention of the remainder in the specified employment use range; c. It is on part of a larger development site and would facilitate the development of the remainder for employment uses in the specified range, which would otherwise be undeliverable; d. It would bring back into use a building which has stood vacant for at least 12 months, and the reoccupation of which by an employment use is demonstrated to be unlikely; e. It would provide the optimal location for essential infrastructure provision; f. It can be demonstrated to deliver significant community and economic benefits that override the need to maintain the site or premises within the specified range of employment uses; g. It would help foster skills development and cannot be provided in an existing educational establishment or as ancillary to an employment use.

Conventional and unconventional oil and gas (Strategic Policy)

1. Proposals for exploration and/or appraisal will be supported where the applicant can demonstrate that: a. The site and the associated equipment and facilities are appropriately sited to ensure they do not have unacceptable adverse environmental, social and economic effects; b. There would be no unacceptable adverse impact on the underlying integrity of the geological structure and measures are included to avoid induced seismicity; c. Operations are for an agreed, temporary length of time; and d. Provision has been made for the timely restoration and subsequent aftercare of the site, whether or not oil or gas is found. 2. Proposals for production will be supported where the applicant can demonstrate that: a. The site and the associated equipment and facilities are appropriately sited to ensure they do not have unacceptable adverse environmental, social and economic effects; b. There would be no unacceptable adverse impact on the underlying integrity of the geological structure and measures are included to avoid induced seismicity; c. The proposal is supported by a full appraisal programme; d. The proposal would facilitate the full and timely development of the resource; and e. Provision has been made for the timely restoration and subsequent aftercare of the site.

Sustainable design and construction

1. In order to minimise resource use, mitigate climate change, and ensure development proposals are adaptable to a changing climate, proposals will be supported if they, where feasible: a. Incorporate passive design measures which respond to existing and anticipated climatic conditions and improve the efficiency of heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting; b. Prioritise the use of locally sourced, recycled and energy efficient building materials; c. Incorporate or connect to small-scale renewable and low carbon energy systems which contribute towards the supply of energy to the development, unless this would not be viable; d. Connect to an existing or approved district energy scheme where viable and in the case of major development proposals consider opportunities to incorporate a district energy network; e. Facilitate the efficient use of water; measures such as water recycling systems will be encouraged; f. Incorporate measures to reduce waste generated during construction, including the recovery of materials on-site, and ensure there is appropriate provision for recyclable and non-recyclable waste; g. Minimise vulnerability to flooding in areas at risk of flooding from all sources, or where the development may increase flood risk elsewhere, through use of materials, green and blue infrastructure and other design features as appropriate; and h. Are flexible to allow for future modification, refurbishment and retrofitting. 2. Development which promotes high levels of sustainability will be encouraged and supported, particularly where this can be demonstrated through the use of appropriate accreditation schemes.

Renewable and low carbon energy and associated energy storage

1. Proposals for renewable energy and low carbon energy development will be supported including where decentralised, renewable or low carbon energy supply systems are to be used to supply energy to a development. 2. Proposals for energy storage units associated with a proposed or an existing renewable energy and low carbon energy development will be supported where: a. they will improve the efficiency of the development; and b. it can be demonstrated that the effects of the proposal, individually and cumulatively, are acceptable or can be made acceptable with regard to the criteria under part 3 of this policy. 3. Applications will be supported where it has been demonstrated that the environmental, social and economic effects of the proposal, individually and cumulatively, are acceptable or can be made acceptable. In considering applications, appropriate weight will be given to the following: a. Landscape character and sensitivity of landscape and visual receptors including landscapes and views demonstrated to be of value at the local community level; b. The special qualities and the statutory purposes of the Northumberland National Park, the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; c. Internationally, nationally and locally designated nature conservation and geological sites and features, and functionally linked land, and protected habitats and species; d. Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site and other internationally, nationally and locally designated heritage assets and their settings and non-designated heritage assets; e. Air, and ground and surface water quality; f. Hydrology, water supply and any associated flood risk; g. Highways and traffic flow, transport networks, Public Rights of Way and non-motorised users, including the effects upon well-used recreational routes such as the National Trails, long distance routes and the national cycle network; h. Amenity due to noise, odour, dust, vibration or visual impact; i. The openness of the Green Belt and whether very special circumstances have been demonstrated to justify otherwise inappropriate development; j. The impact of any new grid connection lines and any ancillary infrastructure and buildings associated with the development; and k. The impact on the safety of aviation operations and navigational systems, with proposals within Aerodrome Safeguarding Areas giving consideration the requirements of Policy TRA 7. 4. Applications will not be supported unless an assessment of cumulative impacts has been undertaken, and taking account of any mitigation measures, the impacts are found to be acceptable. 5. Where relevant, applications will not be supported unless appropriate provision is made for decommissioning and removal of temporary operations once they have ceased. 6. Positive weight will be given to proposals where there is clear evidence of them being community-led.

Onshore wind energy development

1. Proposals for the development of one or more wind turbines, except for proposals for the repowering of existing wind turbines, will not be permitted unless: a. The development site is in an area identified as potentially suitable for wind energy development of the same scale as that proposed, as identified on the Local Plan Policies Map or in a Neighbourhood Plan; and b. Following consultation it can be demonstrated that the planning impacts identified by affected local communities have been fully addressed and the proposal has their backing. 2. Where the criteria in Part 1 are met, or where proposals are for the repowering of existing wind turbines, proposals will be supported where the applicant can demonstrate that the planning impacts, both individually and cumulatively, are, or can be made, acceptable. The planning impacts will be assessed against the criteria in Policy REN 1 and the following criteria: a. There is sufficient separation from the proposed wind turbines to protect residential amenity as a result of noise, shadow flicker and visual intrusion. To protect visual amenity, there will be a presumption against development within a distance of six times the turbine blade tip height of residential properties unless it can be demonstrated that the presence of turbines would not have an unacceptable impact upon living conditions; b. The proposals have addressed any potential adverse effects on the safety of aviation operations and navigational systems; c. Potential interference to television and/or radio reception and information and telecommunications systems will be avoided and/or mitigated; d. The proposed site access arrangements and access routes will be suitable for the construction phase, including the delivery of turbine components and construction materials, the operational phase, and the decommissioning of the proposed wind farm; e. The proposed wind turbines are located appropriate distances from highways, and railway lines to provide a safe topple distance. A minimum topple distance of the turbine height plus 10% is recommended as a starting point; f. Provision has been made for the satisfactory decommissioning of the turbines and associated infrastructure once the operations have ceased and the site can be restored to a quality of at least its original condition; g. The proposal will not result in unacceptable harm to the character of the landscape or to landscape and visual receptors; h. The landscape has capacity to accommodate the proposed development without unacceptable negative effects on its character and qualities and how it is valued by communities likely to be affected; i. There are no unacceptable adverse effects on long and medium range views to and from sensitive landscapes, such as the Cheviot Hills, Northumberland Sandstone Hills, Northumberland Coast AONB, North Pennines AONB, the Northumberland National Park and the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site, and lines of sight between iconic landscape and heritage sites and features, particularly where one or more feature is within the Northumberland Coast AONB, the North Pennines AONB or the adjoining Northumberland National Park; j. There are no unacceptable adverse effects on sensitive or well used viewpoints; and k. There are no unacceptable adverse effects on important recognised outlooks and views from or to heritage assets where these are predominantly unaffected by harmful visual intrusion, taking into account the significance of the heritage asset and its setting.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation

1. Development proposals should mitigate climate change and contribute to meeting nationally binding targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When determining planning applications, support will be given to development proposals that help mitigate climate change and consideration will be given to how proposals: a. Through their location, layout and pattern of development, reduce the need to travel for both people and goods, and encourage sustainable modes of transport, including walking, cycling and the use of public transport; b. Are designed to reduce energy consumption; c. Incorporate decentralised, renewable and low carbon energy; d. Include the re-use of existing buildings, and materials; e. Incorporate multi-functional green infrastructure, which can provide carbon storage and provide environments that encourage walking and cycling; f. Protect and enhance habitats that provide important carbon sinks, including peat habitats and woodland; and g. Incorporate electric vehicle charging facilities. 2. Development proposals should support adaptation to climate change, be resilient to climate change, and not make neighbouring areas more susceptible to the negative impacts of climate change. When determining planning applications support will be given to development proposals that help provide future resilience to climate change and consideration will be given to how proposals: a. Incorporate design features to ensure that they provide resilience to climate change; b. Are designed to reduce demand on water resources; c. Through their location, take into account the risk of flooding and coastal change; d. Incorporate the use of sustainable drainage systems, to minimise and control surface water run-off; and e. Incorporate, where feasible, multi-functional green infrastructure, which can help species adapt to climate change through preventing fragmentation or isolation of habitats, reduce the heating of the urban environment, and manage flooding.

Open space and facilities for sport and recreation

1. The loss of open spaces defined on the Policies Map, or other existing open space, sports and recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, will not be supported unless: a. an assessment has been undertaken which has clearly shown the open space, buildings or land to be surplus to requirements; or b. the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or c. the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use. 2. Open space, sports and recreational land and buildings created as part of a development will be required, where appropriate, to: a. be of an appropriate standard and fit for purpose in accordance with relevant recognised standards; b. be accessible by sustainable travel; c. maximise multifunctional use, and allow wide community use; d. be designed to include appropriate landscaping and to be safe and secure in accordance with relevant recognised standards; e. take opportunities to improve the Strategic Green Infrastructure Network, including the accessibility and connectivity of the network; and f. include a suitable long-term management and maintenance arrangement. 3. Development of ancillary facilities on open space will be supported where: a. It would be appropriate in scale and would not detract from the character of the site or surroundings; b. It would not have an unacceptable negative impact upon residential amenity; c. It would not be detrimental to any other function that the open space performs; d. It would contribute positively to the setting and quality of the open space; and e. It is necessary to, or would facilitate the functioning of the open space. 4. In assessing all residential development proposals, the provision, improvement and means of maintenance of open space and provision for children and young people will be sought in accordance with the standards set out in Appendix H1 to meet the needs arising from the development. 5. Thresholds that distinguish between requirements for on-site and off-site provision for the various typologies of open space and provision for children and young people are defined in Appendix H1. Off-site provision, financial contributions towards off-site provision, or financial contributions towards the improvement of existing open space and provision for children and young people will be sought, where appropriate, in accordance with standards set out in Appendix H1. 6. Where appropriate, agreement on community use of new and existing open spaces, sports and recreational land and buildings, where this is associated with the need to provide or improve facilities arising from proposed residential development, will be secured by means of a planning obligation. 7. The Council commits to undertake an early and partial update of the Plan in so far as it relates to open space, sport and recreation and sites allocated as Protected Open Space, with the update submitted within 18 months of the adoption date of this Local Plan.

Approaches to assessing the impact of development on the natural, historic and built environment (Strategic Policy)

1. The character and/or significance of Northumberland's distinctive and valued natural, historic and built environments, will be conserved, protected and enhanced by: a. Giving appropriate weight to the statutory purposes and special qualities of the hierarchy of international, national and local designated and non-designated nature and historic conservation assets or sites and their settings, and, in particular, giving great weight to: i. Conserving and enhancing the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in accordance with Policies ENV 5 and ENV 6, and Northumberland National Park; ii. The conservation of designated heritage assets, with the impact of proposed development on their significance being assessed in accordance with Policy ENV 7. b. Protecting Northumberland's most important landscapes and applying a character-based approach to, as appropriate, manage, protect or plan landscape across the whole County. 2. In applying part (a) above, recognising that: a. Assets or sites with a lower designation or non-designated, can still be irreplaceable, may be nationally important and/or have qualitative attributes that warrant giving these the appropriate protection in-situ; b. Development and associated activity outwith designations can have indirect impacts on the designated assets or sites; 3. An ecosystem approach will be taken that demonstrates an understanding of the significance and sensitivity of the natural resource. This should result in a neutral impact on, or net benefit for those ecosystems and the ecosystem services that they provide.

Biodiversity and geodiversity

1. Development proposals affecting biodiversity and geodiversity, including designated sites, protected species, and habitats and species of principal importance in England (also called priority habitats and species), will: a. Minimise their impact, avoiding significant harm through location and/or design. Where significant harm cannot be avoided, applicants will be required to demonstrate that adverse impacts will be adequately mitigated or, as a last resort compensated for; b. Secure a net gain for biodiversity as calculated, to reflect latest Government policy and advice, through planning conditions or planning obligations. 2. Where sites are designated for their biodiversity or geodiversity, planning decisions will reflect the hierarchical approach set out in Policy ENV 1. 3. In the case of Local Wildlife and Geological Sites and Local Nature Reserves: a. If significant harm to biodiversity value cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts) adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission will be refused. b. Geological value and soils within these sites will be protected and enhanced in a manner commensurate with the identified quality. c. Where permission can be granted in accordance with (3) (a) or (b) above, planning conditions or obligations will be used to protect the site's remaining nature conservation or geological interest and to provide appropriate compensatory measures for the harm caused. 4. The Council expects the ecosystem approach to be applied in development through the following measures, individually or in combination: a. The conservation, restoration, enhancement, creation and/or (where appropriate) the re-creation of priority habitats and the habitats of priority species; b. The protection and enhancement of the ecological resilience and proper functioning of all ecological networks and links to promote migration, dispersal and genetic exchange, including the South East Northumberland Wildlife Network, as shown on the Policies Map, including its linkages with Newcastle and North Tyneside; where disruption to these networks cannot be avoided, adequate mitigation or, as a last resort, compensatory measures that relate to the integrity of the network will be sought; c. Measures that will buffer or extend existing sites of ecological value, support the development of the Border Uplands Nature Improvement Area and Northumberland Coalfield Nature Improvement Area or contribute to national or local biodiversity objectives; d. Minimising any adverse effects on habitats and species caused by the wider impacts of development and its associated activities including: i. Disturbance; or ii. The inadvertent introduction of non-native species: or iii. Reductions in water quality; or iv. Other forms of pollution that would adversely affect wildlife; The above to be achieved through precautionary measures including appropriate buffer zones and developer contributions to the Coastal Mitigation Service within zones shown on the Policies Map; e. Maximising opportunities to incorporate biodiversity, and ecological enhancement for species of conservation concern, through additional built-in or planted features; and f. Securing the continued management of those ecological features created, restored or enhanced as a result of development. 5. Harm to geological conservation interests will be prevented and, where appropriate, opportunities for public access to those features will be provided.

Landscape

1. The contribution of the landscape to Northumberland's environment, economy and communities will be recognised in assessing development proposals, as follows: a. Proposals affecting the character of the landscape will be expected to conserve and enhance important elements of that character; in such cases, design and access statements should refer, as appropriate, to Northumberland Landscape Character Assessment and other relevant studies, guidance or management plans; b. Great weight will be given to the conservation and enhancement of the special qualities and the statutory purposes of the Northumberland National Park, the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; c. Within those parts of the North Northumberland Heritage Coast, which are not part of the Northumberland Coast AONB, consideration will be given to the special character of the area and the importance of its conservation; d. Where applicable, the contribution of the Northumberland landscape to the understanding and enjoyment of heritage assets will be taken into account; e. In assessing development proposals in relation to landscape character: i. It will be considered whether sufficient regard has been had to the guiding principles and other relevant guidelines set out in the Northumberland Landscape Character Assessment; ii. A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) will be required where the development is considered likely to have a significant impact on the surrounding landscape, townscape or seascape character of the site and/or visual amenity and/or the special qualities of an AONB; iii. The impact on the setting and surroundings of the County's historic towns and villages will be assessed, ensuring that new development on the edge of settlements does not harm the landscape character of the settlement edge and, where possible that it has a net positive impact; iv. Regard will be had, to the Historic Landscape Characterisation; v. The potential impact that small scale development can have on the landscape in sensitive rural settings will be assessed; and vi. Any net negative cumulative impacts of development on landscape character will be assessed. f. Where it is considered that landscape character may be adversely affected, or aspects of this character that warrant protection would be degraded as a result of a proposed development, the weight given to the harm caused will be in accordance with the importance of the designation, taking account of 1(b) and 1(c) above and/or the assessed key landscape qualities.

Tranquillity, dark skies and a sense of rurality

1. Development proposals located within the Northumberland Coast AONB, the North Pennines AONB, the Northumberland Dark Sky Park, the Northumberland Heritage Coast, the Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site or elsewhere in the open countryside, and those which may otherwise by virtue of their scale, nature or siting add to the urbanising effects, or reduce overall tranquillity of these areas, will be required, as appropriate, to reduce these impacts by: a. Minimising the level of noise, traffic and light generated as a result of the development during construction and thereafter; b. Minimising the introduction of intrusive external features, such as hard surfaces, car parking and urban-style boundary treatments; 2. During construction and thereafter, development that would bring additional light sources into the Northumberland Dark Sky Park, the Northumberland Coast AONB and the North Pennines AONB, and areas of the open countryside where dark skies can be experienced, should not result in a net adverse impact on the level of dark skies and, where appropriate, improvements should be sought. 3. Exterior lighting on developments, which has the potential to impact upon the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, the North Pennines AONB, the Northumberland Coast AONB should be designed having regard to the Good Practice Guide for Outside Lighting in Northumberland International Dark Sky Park and/or the latest relevant guidance. Appropriate elements of this guidance may also be applied in other locations referred to in part (2) above, where the integrity of dark skies may be compromised by new development.

Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

1. The special qualities of the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be conserved and enhanced, having regard to the current AONB Management Plan and locally specific design guidance. 2. When assessing development proposals affecting the AONB particular considerations will include: a. The sensitivity of local landscapes and their capacity to accommodate new development, including temporary structures such as caravans and chalets; b. Intervisibility between the AONB, the seascape and the landscape beyond, including the Kyloe and Cheviot Hills; c. Interdependency between the special qualities of the landscape and the marine and coastal environment, including the internationally and nationally important nature conservation sites and associated ecosystems, geology, species and habitats; and d. The need to sustain and, where appropriate, enhance: i. The significance of heritage assets, including any contribution made by their setting; ii. A sense of remoteness, wildness and open views and dark skies; iii. The natural functioning of the coastline; and iv. A clear distinction between settlements and open countryside. 3. As far as possible, it will be recognised that the AONB is a living, working area by allowing small scale development where it does not impact on the AONB's special qualities including those in criteria (2) a. to d. above. In particular, in assessing development proposals, consideration will be given to the extent to which the development: a. Adds to the availability of permanently occupied and affordable housing to meet local needs; b. Supports the growth and diversification of the rural economy through the expansion of existing businesses and the development of new businesses; and c. Supports the tourism aims set out in part 1 of Policy ECN 15, within the constraints set out in part 2 of that Policy. 4. The conversion of redundant farm buildings to appropriate uses will be supported, but the scale and form of the farm steading will be protected and new built development will not normally be supported. 5. In accordance with national planning policy, major development will not be supported except in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated to be in the public interest; 6. Where new building or engineering works are proposed, the Council will require the submission of detailed plans and will not grant outline planning permission, unless they contain sufficient supporting information by which the impact of the proposed development on the special qualities of the AONB can be judged.

North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

1. The special qualities of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be conserved and enhanced, having regard to the current AONB Management Plan and locally specific guidance. 2. When assessing development proposals affecting the AONB particular considerations will include: a. The openness of the landscape and its sensitivity to development; b. Inter-visibility between the AONB and areas to its north and east; c. Interdependency between the landscape quality and the natural functioning of the environment taking into account internationally and nationally important nature conservation sites and associated species and habitats, and the geodiversity; d. The need to sustain and enhance the significance of heritage assets, including any contribution made by their setting; and e. A sense of remoteness, wildness, tranquillity and dark skies. 3. Small scale development will be supported where it does not impact on the AONB's special qualities, including those in criteria 2 a to e above. In particular, in assessing development proposals, consideration will be given to the extent to which the development: a. Adds to the availability of permanently occupied and affordable housing to meet local needs; b. Supports the growth and diversification of the rural economy through the expansion of existing businesses and the development of new businesses; c. Supports the tourism aims set out in part 1 of Policy ECN 15, within the constraints set out in part 2 of that Policy; d. Reuses redundant buildings that contribute to the character of the area; and e. Applies the most up to date design guidance, recognising that a variety of materials, including timber, have their place in the local vernacular and could contribute to lower cost, more energy efficient buildings. 4. In accordance with national planning policy, major development will not be supported except in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated to be in the public interest; 5. Where new building or engineering works are proposed, the Council will require the submission of detailed plans and will not grant outline planning permission, unless they contain sufficient supporting information by which the impact of the proposed development on the special qualities of the AONB can be judged. 6. Development proposals should avoid any urbanising effects on the qualities of remoteness and tranquillity that characterise the North Pennines AONB, by avoiding bright lighting or noise-generating uses, unless there are other strong planning reasons to do so and it can be demonstrated that all possible measures have been taken to minimise these effects. 7. Stone tracks across moorland, for non-agricultural purposes, will not be approved on deep peat areas that are or have the potential to be blanket bog. New or upgraded tracks elsewhere involving moorland may be supported if: a. it will result in net biodiversity or landscape gain; and b. there is no alternative existing track or potential route that is less harmful or visually intrusive; and c. the least environmentally damaging construction methods are used; and d. maximum potential recreational benefits are accrued.

Environmental criteria for assessing minerals proposals (Strategic Policy)

1. Proposals for mineral extraction will be supported where the applicant can demonstrate that any adverse effects on local communities and the environment are acceptable. 2. In considering applications, appropriate weight will be given to potential effects on: a. Local amenity – applicants will be required to demonstrate that there is appropriate separation between the site and dwellings and other sensitive uses, to prevent unacceptable levels of noise, dust, vibration, air pollution and harmful visual impact; b. Landscape character and sensitivity – applicants will be required to demonstrate that the proposal can be effectively and appropriately integrated with its surroundings and the character of the landscape, particularly as a result of changes to landform and topography both during and after extraction; c. The conservation and enhancement of nature conservation and geological sites, including internationally, nationally and locally designated sites, priority habitats and protected and priority species – applicants will be required to demonstrate that their proposal will deliver a net gain for biodiversity where possible through the creation of priority habitats and by contributing to the creation of a coherent and resilient ecological network and that there will be no unacceptable adverse effects on national or international nature conservation designations or irreplaceable habitats; d. The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the adjoining Northumberland National Park and their settings – applicants will be required to demonstrate that the proposals do not have unacceptable adverse effects on the special qualities and the statutory purposes of these designations; e. Cultural heritage, including known and unknown archaeological features, designated and undesignated heritage assets and their settings – applicants will be required to demonstrate that the proposals will not result in unacceptable harm to heritage assets; f. Soils and agricultural land quality – applicants will be required to demonstrate that the soil resource is managed in a sustainable way and where proposals affect best and most versatile agricultural land applicants should demonstrate there is no suitable alternative of lower quality agricultural land that provides the same benefits in terms of other environmental considerations, the land could be restored to its previous agricultural land quality or there is an overriding need for the development; g. The capacity and suitability of the transport network, including numbers of movements, site access arrangements, and impacts on non-motorised users – The transport of minerals using rail and water is encouraged and where road transport is proposed applicants will be required to demonstrate that transport by rail or water is not practicable or feasible; h. The use of public rights of way – where disruption to a public right of way is unavoidable applicants will be required to demonstrate how the proposals make provision for the diversion of routes or for the creation of an alternative route during both minerals extraction and restoration that are convenient and safe and, wherever possible, take opportunities to enhance public rights of way; i. Flood risk – applicants will be required to demonstrate that the proposals do not have an unacceptable adverse impact on flood flows or storage capacity and do not increase the risk of flooding at other locations; j. Ground and surface water quality, flow and water abstraction – applicants will be required to consider the potential for the proposal to affect the flow, quality and quantity of ground and surface water supplies and include measures to prevent water pollution; k. Light pollution – applicants will be required to demonstrate the proposals incorporate measures to control light pollution; l. Land stability – applicants should demonstrate that the operation and restoration of the site does not create land instability and the quarry slopes and storage mounds are designed so as not to create instability; m. Aviation safety – where proposals are within aerodrome safeguarding zones, applicants will be required to demonstrate that the proposals do not give rise to new or increased hazards to aviation; and n. Climate change - applicants will be required to demonstrate how the proposal impacts on climate change and targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, where appropriate, proposed mitigation and adaptation measures. 3. The criteria listed above should be considered both individually and cumulatively. In assessing cumulative impact, particular regard will be had to: a. The combination of effects from an individual site; b. The combination of effects from one or more sites in a locality; and c. The effects over an extended period of time either from an individual site or a number of sites in a locality, whilst recognising that mineral resources can only be extracted where they occur, the benefits from extending existing sites rather than opening up new areas to working and the desirability of comprehensively working resources in an area to avoid sterilisation.

Coal (Strategic Policy)

1. Planning permission for coal extraction shall not be granted unless: a. It can be demonstrated by the applicant that the proposal is environmentally acceptable, or can be made so by planning conditions or obligations; or b. If it is not environmentally acceptable, then it provides national, local or community benefits which clearly outweigh its likely impacts (taking all relevant matters into account, including any residual environmental impacts). 2. Within each of the following sub-areas, proposals will be required to address the following key matters: a. North of Morpeth and Ashington and south of Amble: i. The cumulative effects arising from the proposals in the context of an area that has experienced widespread, large-scale surface coal extraction over a number of decades; ii. The effects of the proposal on the enhancement or restoration of the character of the landscape in this area; iii. The effects on the conservation and enhancement of the nature conservation interest and landscape character along the Druridge Bay coastal strip; and iv. The impact on the openness of the Green Belt around Morpeth; b. Ashington, Blyth, Cramlington and Seaton Delaval: i. The extent to which the proposals contribute to the enhancement of the landscape in this area; ii. The effects on maintaining the openness of the countryside between the settlements, including the impact on the openness of the Green Belt to the south of Blyth, Cramlington and around Seaton Delaval; iii. The effects on the ability to attract inward investment to the area, including effects on the quality of the environment around key employment sites; and iv. The effects on the significance of the historic features and historic landscape to the east of Seaton Delaval around Seaton Delaval Hall; c. Ponteland, Stannington and south of Morpeth: i. The extent to which the proposals contribute to the enhancement of the landscape in this area; ii. The impact on the openness of the Green Belt to the south and east of Ponteland, around Stannington and around Morpeth; iii. The effects on the nature conservation interests at Stannington Vale and along the River Blyth and at Prestwick Carr; iv. The effects on the significance of the historic features and landscapes at Blagdon and St Mary's Hospital; and v. The cumulative effects from surface coal extraction in the adjoining Newcastle Metropolitan Borough area; d. Tyne/Derwent Watershed: i. The visibility of proposals from surrounding areas, particularly from the Tyne Valley, the North Pennines AONB and areas within and adjoining the Derwent Valley within County Durham; ii. The impact on the openness of the Green Belt between Whittonstall, Stocksfield, Prudhoe and around Hedley on the Hill; and iii. The effects on areas of ancient woodland and local wildlife sites in the north of the area and along the Derwent Valley; e. Midgeholme outlier: i. The effects on the setting of the adjacent North Pennines AONB; ii. The impact on the nature conservation areas that are found to the south and east of the resource area; and iii. The effects on the adjoining areas within Cumbria and any cumulative effects from surface coal extraction in the area of the Midgeholme coalfield within Cumbria; f. Plenmeller outlier and Stublick outlier: i. The effects on the special qualities and the statutory purposes of the North Pennines AONB, with development for coal extraction subject to the policy tests for major development in a nationally important landscape; and ii. The effects on the nationally and internationally important nature conservation sites within the North Pennines. 3. Proposals for coal extraction should, where practicable, include provision for the extraction of brick clays (which includes fireclays and brick shales) and other ancillary minerals.

Clays (Strategic Policy)

1. Proposals for new clay extraction sites will be supported where: a. It would enable a stock of permitted reserves of at least 25 years to be maintained; and b. The need for the clay cannot be met from existing reserves with planning permission, or a site closer to a brickworks. 2. Proposals for the extraction of brick-making clays, particularly fireclays, concurrently with coal will be supported where: a. The proposals meet the policy tests for coal extraction; b. Site restoration can take place in a timely manner; c. It will enable the efficient use of the clay resource; and d. The proposals would ensure that the clay resource is not needlessly sterilised. 3. Proposals for the stockpiling of clay extracted as an ancillary mineral will be supported where: a. It can be demonstrated that the proposal would not result in unacceptable adverse environmental, social and economic effects; and b. Provision has been made for the timely and adequate restoration and subsequent aftercare of the site.

Natural building and roofing stone (Strategic Policy)

1. Proposals for the provision of building and roofing stone from new quarries, including historic quarries which do not have a current planning permission, and extensions to existing quarries will be supported where the applicant can demonstrate that: a. The proposal would assist in maintaining a steady, adequate and diverse supply of building and roofing stone, including: i. circumstances where the extraction would provide material for development that is required to maintain the character of a particular settlement; or ii. would provide material specifically for the repair of identified heritage assets; and b. The extraction would be primarily for building and roofing stone uses rather than for aggregate uses.

Peat (Strategic Policy)

1. Proposals for new peat extraction sites or extensions to existing peat extraction sites will not be permitted in order to protect peat habitats for their nature conservation value and their role as a carbon store. 2. Time extensions to previously worked peat extraction sites will be supported where the applicant can demonstrate that the proposal: a. Is necessary to enable appropriate restoration of the site and only peat physically required to implement that restoration is removed; b. Provides enhancements for biodiversity and local ecological networks; c. Would not result in unacceptable environmental, social and economic effects; and d. Will deliver clear benefits.

Mineral and landfill site restoration, aftercare and after-use (Strategic Policy)

1. Proposals for minerals extraction will be supported where provision has been made for the appropriate restoration and aftercare of the proposed site at the earliest opportunity. 2. Proposals for the restoration, aftercare and after-use of mineral extraction and landfill sites should: a. Deliver net-gains for biodiversity following restoration by contributing to priority habitat creation and local ecological networks, having particular regard to the biodiversity action plan and the biodiversity strategy for England; b. Deliver improved public access and/or public open space, including links to the surrounding green infrastructure and expansion of the public rights of way network, whilst taking great care to minimise disturbance to wildlife and ensuring opportunities for access for all user groups; c. Protect soil resources by ensuring that they are retained, conserved and handled in line with best practice during site extraction operations and during restoration; d. When creating wetland habitats, take account of the requirement to manage the risk of birds striking aircraft when within Aerodrome Safeguarding Zones and include elements to assist in flood alleviation; e. Include provision for the phased working and restoration of the site, unless it can be demonstrated that this is not practicable or feasible as a result of the site characteristics and constraints; f. Include sufficient detail to demonstrate that the proposed restoration and after-use scheme is practically achievable and includes details of the final proposed landform, the proposed after-use and how the soil resource and overburden will be managed; g. Make provision for the aftercare of the restored site, or a relevant part of the site where a site is subject to progressive restoration, for a period of five years to ensure the land is capable of sustaining the approved after-use or after-uses. The aftercare period may be extended by legal agreement beyond five years where it is required for the after-use to become established or a particularly innovative restoration and after-use is proposed; and h. Include sufficient safeguards to ensure the adequate restoration and aftercare of the site from the commencement of development until completion of restoration and aftercare. In exceptional circumstances, such as long-term schemes where no progressive restoration is proposed, proposals where innovative techniques are to be used, or where there is reliable evidence of financial failure, a financial bond or other financial guarantee shall be sought.

Safeguarding mineral resources (Strategic Policy)

1. Mineral Safeguarding Areas (MSAs) are identified on the Policies Map around the following mineral resources and these resources will be protected from unnecessary sterilisation by non-mineral development: a. Carboniferous limestone; b. Clay (including brick clay, brick shale and fireclay); c. Coal; d. Igneous rock; e. Sand and gravel; and f. Sandstone. 2. Applications for non-mineral related development in a Mineral Safeguarding Area are required to: a. Include an assessment of the effect of the proposed development on the mineral resource beneath or adjacent to the site of the development; b. Consider the possibility of prior extraction ahead of the proposed non-mineral development taking place in accordance with the requirements of Policy MIN 5; and c. In accordance with Part 4 of this policy, consider the impact on mineral extraction operations and any impacts the mineral extraction operations could have on the proposed new development where it is located in the vicinity of an existing or proposed mineral extraction site. 3. Proposals for non-mineral development within a Mineral Safeguarding Area will not be supported unless: a. The applicant can demonstrate that the mineral concerned is not of economic value; b. The mineral can be extracted prior to the non-mineral development proceeding without adversely affecting the viability of the development; c. The development is temporary in nature and will not impact on the potential for mineral extraction within a timescale in which the mineral is likely to be needed; d. There are no reasonable alternative options for the proposed development which would avoid or minimise the sterilisation of minerals; e. The overall social, economic or environmental benefits of the proposed development outweigh the potential loss of the mineral resource; or f. It constitutes non-mineral development that is exempt from the safeguarding provisions. Exempt non-mineral development comprises: i. Householder development, which includes extensions, alterations or improvements to existing dwellings, the erection of domestic garages, outbuildings and garden walls or fences; ii. An advertisement; iii. Reserved matters applications following the grant of outline planning permission; iv. Applications to change the use of an existing building, except where the change is to a residential dwelling (use class C3) and other sensitive uses such as schools (use class F1), residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and residential training centres (use class C2); v. Applications to remove or amend a condition attached to an existing planning permission; vi. Works to trees; vii. Prior notifications submitted in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 2, parts 6 and 7 of the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order 2015; g. An application for a Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use or Development (CLEUD); h. An application for a Certificate of Lawfulness of Proposed Use or Development (CLOPUD); and i. Non-material amendments. 4. Proposals in the vicinity of an active, mothballed, dormant or proposed mineral extraction site will be required to demonstrate that: a. They will not place unreasonable restrictions on the mineral extraction operations as a result of the proposal being permitted; and b. Where the operation of such a site could have an adverse effect on the proposed non-mineral development, the proposal provides suitable mitigation to ensure that there are no unacceptable adverse effects on any occupiers and users of the new development proposed.

Prior extraction of minerals

1. Where a proposed non-mineral development would lead to the sterilisation of an identified mineral resource, the prior extraction of this mineral resource is encouraged where this would be practicable and environmentally acceptable. 2. Applications for non-mineral development in a MSA are required to consider the possibility of prior extraction ahead of the proposed non-mineral development being implemented. An assessment of the feasibility of prior extraction should take account of: a. Whether the environmental conditions are suitable to support extraction operations to ensure no unacceptable effects on local communities and the environment; b. Whether prior extraction is achievable within an acceptable timescale; c. Markets for the mineral; and d. The effect of extraction on the viability of the proposal overall. 3. Provision should be made to ensure the site can be adequately restored in the event that the subsequent proposed non-mineral development is delayed or does not proceed.

Safeguarding minerals related infrastructure (Strategic Policy)

1. The minerals related infrastructure identified in Table 13.1 and shown on the Policies Map will be safeguarded from unnecessary loss to non-mineral related development on the site or within its vicinity. 2. Proposals for non-mineral development that would result in the loss of the infrastructure will not be supported, unless it can be demonstrated that: a. The proposal for non-mineral development will not prevent or prejudice the current or future use of the site; b. The site is no longer needed for mineral handling, processing, storage and transport; or c. Alternative capacity for mineral storage, processing and transport can be provided and delivered sustainably at an alternative site. 3. Proposals in the vicinity of minerals related infrastructure will be required to demonstrate that: a. It will not place unreasonable restrictions on the operation of the minerals related infrastructure as a result of the proposal being permitted; and b. Where the operation of such a site could have an adverse effect on the proposed development, the proposal provides suitable mitigation to protect local amenity.

Aggregate minerals (Strategic Policy)

1. Provision for a steady and adequate supply of aggregates to meet local and wider needs will be made by: a. Making land available to meet the needs for crushed rock and sand and gravel for aggregate uses identified in the Local Aggregates Assessment; b. Maintaining a landbank of permitted reserves of at least seven years for sand and gravel and at least ten years for crushed rock; and c. Supporting proposals that would contribute to the supply of secondary and recycled aggregates. 2. Proposals for sand and gravel extraction and crushed rock extraction for aggregate uses will be supported where they are located within a preferred area identified in Policy MIN 8 and Policy MIN 9 and defined on the Policies Map. 3. Planning permission for extensions to existing sites and new quarries outside of the preferred areas in Policy MIN 8 and Policy MIN 9 will be supported where: a. The proposal would help to maintain productive capacity to meet the required provision set out in criteria (1a and b) of this policy; and b. The proposal would assist in maintaining the balance between supply areas in the south and west of Northumberland and the north and east of Northumberland. 4. Borrow pits to supply aggregate minerals for major construction projects will be supported where: a. The material cannot be practically supplied from existing quarries or from available waste materials; b. The location of the proposal is well related to that of the construction project; and c. The material to be extracted is for use only in the specified project and the proposal is time limited to that of the construction project.

Aggregate mineral site allocations - Sand and gravel (Strategic Policy)

1. Proposals for the extraction of sand and gravel for aggregate uses will be supported within the areas set out below and as defined on the Policies Map. a. Anick Grange Haugh; b. Ebchester Quarry extension; c. Wooperton Quarry east extension.

Aggregate mineral site allocations - Crushed rock (Strategic Policy)

1. Proposals for the extraction of crushed rock for aggregate uses will be supported within the areas detailed in this policy and defined on the Policies Map. a. Belford Quarry extension; b. Divethill Quarry north and east extensions; c. Longhoughton Quarry extension; d. Northside; e. Shiel Dykes.

Unstable and contaminated land

1. Development proposals will be supported where it can be demonstrated that unacceptable risks from land instability and contamination will be prevented by ensuring the development is appropriately located and that measures can be taken to effectively mitigate the impacts. 2. Planning applications for proposals on land that is potentially unstable or contaminated shall be accompanied by an assessment showing: a. The nature and extent of contamination or instability issues and the possible effects this may have on the development and its future users; and b. The remedial measures needed to allow the development to go ahead safely giving consideration to the potential end users, including, as appropriate: i. Removing the contamination; ii. Treating the contamination; iii. Protecting and/or separating the development from the effects of contamination; and iv. Addressing land instability; and c. That the benefits of any proposed remediation measures are not outweighed by any harm to the natural, built and historic environment caused by the remediation works themselves. 3. Where remedial measures are needed to allow the development to go ahead safely, these will be required as a condition of planning permission. 4. Support will be given to development proposals that allow for the beneficial remediation of contamination or unstable land.

Pollution and air, soil and water quality

1. Development proposals in locations where they would cause, or be put at unacceptable risk of harm from, or be adversely affected by pollution by virtue of the emissions of fumes, particles, effluent, radiation, smell, heat, light, noise or noxious substances will not be supported. 2. Development proposals that may cause pollution of water, air or soil, either individually or cumulatively, are required to incorporate measures to prevent or reduce their pollution so as not to cause nuisance or unacceptable impacts on the environment, people or biodiversity. 3. Development proposed where pollution levels are unacceptable, and unable to be mitigated to acceptable levels, will not be supported. 4. Where the operation of an existing business or community facility could have a significant adverse effect on a development proposal, the development proposal will be required to provide suitable mitigation. 5. Development will be required to help: a. Maintain soil quality standards and protect the quality of any displaced soil through sustainable use by following the most up to date guidance from the Government; b. Improve water quality standards in line with the requirements of Policy WAT 1; and c. Maintain air quality standards and support improvements in any identified Air Quality Management Areas consistent with any local air quality action plans. 6. Advice on the storage and handling of hazardous substances will be taken from the Health and Safety Executive.

Best and most versatile agricultural land

1. Regard will be had, to the wider economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land when considering any irreversible loss in accordance with national policy. Where significant development of such land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of higher quality. 2. Temporary or reversible development on best and most versatile agricultural land will be supported where the land would be reinstated to its pre-development quality.

Landscaping and trees

1. Where relevant, new development will be expected to incorporate well-designed landscaping and respond appropriately to any existing landscape features. 2. Development proposals should ensure that: a. Landscaping design is of a high quality, in accordance with the principles set out in Policy QOP 1; b. Existing features which contribute towards the character of the area, or amenity, are retained wherever possible and sympathetically incorporated into the overall design of the scheme; c. Any hard or soft landscaping is appropriate, functional and well-integrated into the design of the development; d. Trees, and other spaces and features that provide green and blue infrastructure, are preserved, enhanced and introduced into the landscaping scheme wherever possible; e. There is no loss of existing trees which are valuable in terms of amenity, biodiversity or the landscape, except where this would be unavoidable and: i. considerations in favour of the development would outweigh any harm resulting from the loss of trees; and ii. the loss can be adequately mitigated through measures such as replacement planting where possible; f. Planting schemes are compatible and appropriate to the site and its use; species that may damage other vegetation or wildlife should be avoided. 3. Development resulting in the loss or deterioration of ancient woodland and ancient or veteran trees will not be permitted unless wholly exceptional reasons exist to justify any loss or deterioration and a suitable compensatory strategy has been proposed.

Green infrastructure (Strategic Policy)

1. In assessing development proposals, the contribution of strategic and local green infrastructure to the health and well-being of Northumberland's communities and visitors, as well as its economy, will be recognised, promoted and enhanced. 2. Development proposals should where relevant, and in a proportionate way, seek to protect, improve and extend Northumberland's green infrastructure, and integrate with the network. When determining planning applications, consideration will be given to how development proposals: a. Protect and enhance strategic and/or local green infrastructure assets, provide high quality links between existing assets including links with green infrastructure networks in adjacent authority areas and/or provide additional uses for multi-functionality; b. Secure improved access to green infrastructure, including rights of way, the network of cycle routes and high quality provision for the widest possible range of ages, abilities and interests where this would not have an unjustified adverse effect on biodiversity and environmental and heritage assets; c. Secure net-gains for biodiversity through the protection, creation and enhancement of coherent ecological networks; d. Improve the potential green infrastructure to support economic growth and sustainable tourism without adverse effects on environmental and heritage assets; e. Create a sense of place by fully integrating high quality, green infrastructure into the plan or proposal design to reflect locally distinctive character having regard to rural and urban character, open space, connective corridors and links with the wider countryside; f. Integrate green infrastructure with sustainable drainage and the management of flood risk; g. Consider the management and maintenance of new and existing green infrastructure throughout and beyond the plan period, including opportunities for community-led management; h. Provide opportunities for growing healthy food, including through community schemes; and i. Comply with any national standards for green infrastructure.

Strategic approach to the Green Belt (Strategic Policy)

1. The Green Belt within Northumberland, as defined on the Policies map, will be protected to: a. Check the unrestricted sprawl of Tyne and Wear; b. Safeguard the countryside from encroachment; c. Prevent the merging of: Newcastle upon Tyne with Ponteland, Newcastle Airport, or Cramlington; and North Tyneside with Cramlington or Blyth; d. Preserve the setting and special character of Hexham, Corbridge and Morpeth; e. Prevent Morpeth merging with neighbouring settlements; f. Prevent the merger of rural settlements; and g. Assist in the regeneration of settlements in South East Northumberland beyond the Green Belt.

Development in the Green Belt

1. In assessing development proposals within the Green Belt: a. Development that is inappropriate in the Green Belt, in accordance with national planning policy, will not be supported except in very special circumstances where other considerations clearly outweigh the potential harm to the Green Belt, and any other harm resulting from the proposal; b. Development which is not inappropriate in the Green Belt, as defined in national planning policy, will be supported; c. Development which improves access to the countryside; provides opportunities for outdoor sport and recreation; enhances landscapes and biodiversity; or improves damaged and derelict land will be encouraged and supported, provided it does not conflict with national policy in relation to Green Belt. 2. In villages in the Green Belt, limited infilling of a small gap in an otherwise built up frontage will be supported. Development which fills a small gap between buildings within a village in the Green Belt will be recognised as limited infilling in villages, in accordance with the NPPF, and will be supported, providing it would not constitute the following: a. Development between loose-knit groups of buildings; b. Development between the built edge of a village and other buildings which are not physically and visually linked to the settlement; c. Development of a scale or form that would result in the loss of significant gaps between buildings or diminish the open character of the village. 3. Other forms of limited infill development in the Green Belt may be supported if it meets the tests of the NPPF.

Safeguarded land

1. Safeguarded land that may be required to meet long term employment needs, beyond the period of the Local Plan, is identified within Policy ECN 6. 2. When assessing development proposals on or affecting safeguarded land, the following principles will apply: a. Safeguarded land is not allocated for development during the plan period. Permanent development of safeguarded land will only be permitted following the adoption of a replacement Local Plan which proposes such development; and b. Any development which would prejudice the future comprehensive development of safeguarded land will not be supported.

Principles for the location of waste re-use, recycling and recovery facilities

1. Proposals for new or enhanced waste management facilities for re-use, recycling and recovery will be supported where: a. They are located within or close to one of Northumberland's Main Towns or Service Centres; or b. They are located outside of one of Northumberland's Main Towns or Service Centres but would supplement the provision of an accessible network of local facilities and have suitable connections to the transport network. 2. Proposals should have regard to the locational sequential order of preference below: a. On-site management of waste where it arises; b. Co-location of sites with an existing waste management use and with complementary activities, including the extension of existing facilities, where it can be demonstrated by the applicant that there are no unacceptable adverse cumulative environmental effects from site operations or the transportation of waste; and c. Sites identified for employment uses, previously developed land, active quarries for managing inert construction and demolition waste or redundant agricultural and forestry buildings and their curtilages. 3. In respect to (2), the following locations will also be considered: a. On-farm locations for small-scale facilities to manage agricultural wastes, including anaerobic digestion and composting, will be acceptable in principle where it is located within or is well related to an existing farm complex; and b. Construction/demolition sites on active quarries to manage inert construction and demolition waste will be acceptable in principle for either the life of the construction/demolition project or quarry; 4. Facilities involving the recovery of energy from waste should also give preference to sites with the potential to utilise the energy and heat produced.

Development management criteria for waste re-use, recycling and recovery facilities

1. Proposals for new or enhanced waste re-use, recycling and recovery facilities will be supported where: a. The design is compatible with its location in terms of its siting, scale, mass, form and landscaping and contributes positively to the quality and character of the area where it is located; b. The facility is fully contained within buildings or enclosed structures, unless it can be demonstrated that any unacceptable adverse environmental effects can be effectively mitigated and/or it is a facility that genuinely requires an outdoor location; c. The proposal is well related to the transport network and, where practical, located and designed to enable transport by rail or water. Where road transport is proposed the applicant shall demonstrate that there would be no unacceptable adverse effects on the surrounding highway network and infrastructure capacity, or such effects can be suitably mitigated; d. The proposal helps to support a reduction in the distance waste is transported for management, whilst recognising the economics may mean facilities have to operate over large catchments; e. The proposal would not result in unacceptable adverse effects on the natural or historic environment, sensitive receptors or residential amenity as a result of noise, dust, lighting, vibration, odour, vermin and birds, litter and visual intrusion; and f. The proposal would not give rise to unacceptable adverse cumulative effects.

Water quality

1. In assessing development proposals, the Council will seek to ensure that all water bodies achieve 'good status' by 2021 in terms of their ecological balance and other relevant factors, preventing any deterioration in that status. This will be achieved in line with the Water Framework Directive and/or the Bathing Water Directive, having regard to local river basin management plans and the findings of the Northumberland Water Cycle Study, applying the ecosystem approach, through: a. Supporting development and/or landscape measures that maintain, or may result in enhanced water quality, including bathing water; b. Ensuring where possible that development will bring about an improvement to the water environment; c. Not supporting development if it would have an adverse impact on water quality in surface water bodies or it could disrupt the ground water movement or affect its chemical balance, including any wider impacts, taking full account, where appropriate, of the presence of minewater; d. Avoiding any reduction in the 'high status' of certain surface water bodies in the County, giving very close scrutiny to any development that may affect them; and e. Assessing the effects of development on designated Bathing Waters.

Flooding

1. In assessing development proposals the potential for both on and off-site flood risk from all potential sources will be measured, taking into account the policy approach contained within: the relevant Catchment Flood Management Plan; the Northumberland Local Flood Risk Management Strategy; the Northumberland Outline Water Cycle Study; and the findings of Drainage Area Studies. 2. Development proposals will be required to demonstrate how they will minimise flood risk to people, property and infrastructure from all potential sources by: a. Avoiding inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding and directing the development away from areas at highest risk. Where development is necessary in such areas, the development should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere. The Sequential Test and, if necessary, the Exceptions Test, will be applied (subject to minor development and change of use exemptions) in accordance with national policy and the Northumberland Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. Site Specific Flood Risk Assessments will be required for: i. All development in Flood Zones 2 and 3; and ii. In Flood Zone 1, for all proposals involving: • sites of 1 hectare or more; • land which has been identified by the Environment Agency as having critical drainage problems; • land identified in a strategic flood risk assessment as being at increased flood risk in future; or • land that may be subject to other sources of flooding, where its development would introduce a more vulnerable use. b. For developments where (2a) above applies, it will be ensured that: i. The impact of the development proposal on existing sewerage infrastructure and flood risk management infrastructure is assessed, including whether there is a need to reinforce such infrastructure or provide new infrastructure in consultation with the relevant water authority; ii. The development takes into account climate change and the vulnerability of its users; iii. The site is configured so that the most vulnerable development is located in areas of lowest flood risk, unless there are overriding reasons to prefer a different location; iv. The development is made resistant and resilient, in terms of its layout, mix and/or building design, in accordance with national policy and the findings and recommendations of the Northumberland Strategic Flood Risk Assessment; v. Sustainable drainage systems are incorporated as appropriate, in accordance with Policy WAT 4; vi. Any residual flood risk can be safely managed; and vii. Safe access and escape routes are incorporated, where appropriate, as part of an agreed emergency plan. c. Pursuing the full separation of foul and surface water flows as follows: i. A requirement that all development provides such separation within the development; and ii. Where combined sewers remain, the Council will work with statutory sewerage providers to progress the separation of surface water from foul; d. Ensuring that built development proposals, including new roads, separate, minimise and control surface water run-off, using Sustainable Drainage Systems, modified as necessary where minewater is present; in relation to this: i. Surface water should be managed at source wherever possible, so that there is no net increase in surface water run-off for the lifetime of the development; ii. Surface water should be disposed of in accordance with the following hierarchy for surface water run-off: • To a soakaway system, unless it can be demonstrated that this is not feasible due to poor infiltration with the underlying ground conditions and/or high groundwater levels; • To a watercourse, unless there is no alternative or suitable receiving watercourse available; • To a surface water sewer; • As a last resort, once all other methods have been explored, disposal to combined sewers; iii. Where greenfield sites are to be developed, the surface water run-off rates should not exceed, and where possible should reduce, the existing run-off rates; iv. Where previously developed sites are to be developed: • The peak surface run-off rate from the development to any drain, sewer or surface water body for any given rainfall event should be as close as reasonably practicable to the greenfield run-off rate for the same event, so long as this does not exceed the previous rate of discharge on the site for that same event; or • Where it is demonstrated that the greenfield run-off rate cannot be achieved, then surface run-off rate should be reduced wherever possible by a minimum of 50% of the existing site run-off rate; e. Full consideration should be given to solutions within the wider catchment area, including blue-green infrastructure based solutions and those providing ecosystem services, with wider solutions especially applied if local solutions could be harmful to biodiversity, landscape or built heritage; 3. In relation to flood alleviation schemes: a. The early implementation of approved schemes will be supported through development decisions; b. Any proposal for additional schemes should demonstrate that they represent the most sustainable solution and that their social, economic and environmental benefits outweigh any adverse environmental impacts caused by new structure(s), including increasing the risk of flooding elsewhere. 4. Any works relating to the above, which impact on natural water systems, should consider the wider ecological implications, applying the ecosystem approach, and link into green infrastructure initiatives wherever practicable.

Sustainable Drainage Systems

1. Water sensitive urban design, including Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) will be incorporated into developments whenever necessary, in order to separate, minimise and control surface water run-off, in accordance with national standards and any future local guidance. 2. SuDS will be a requirement for any development where it is necessary to manage surface water drainage unless it can be clearly demonstrated: a. That SuDS are not technically, operationally or financially deliverable or viable and that any surface water drainage issues resulting from the development can be alternatively mitigated; or b. That the SuDS scheme will itself adversely affect the environment or safety, including where ponds could increase the risk of bird strike close to the airport or where existing minewater problems could be exacerbated. 3. SuDS or other water sensitive urban design schemes should be devised to take account of predicted future conditions and, where appropriate, efforts should be made to link them into wider initiatives to enhance the green infrastructure, improve water quality, benefit wildlife and/or contribute to the provision of an ecosystem service. 4. Arrangements must be put in place for the management and maintenance of SuDS over the lifetime of the development, with such arrangements taking account of the cumulative effectiveness of SuDs in the area concerned.

Coastal erosion and coastal change management

1. Areas vulnerable to coastal change will be managed in accordance with the principles and approach set out in the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2), while giving full weight to the level of importance of the coast's ecological and heritage value. 2. Development proposals in these areas in particular will be required to: a. Demonstrate that the need for a coastal location overrides the risk of coastal change and provides wider benefits, such as substantial, sustainable environmental, economic and social benefits; b. Provide an Erosion Vulnerability Assessment which demonstrates that the development is safe over its planned lifetime and will not have an unacceptable impact on coastal change processes elsewhere. The assessment should be appropriate to the degree of risk and the location, scale and nature of the development; c. Demonstrate that there will not be any harm or loss to the significance of ecological and/or heritage assets and/or designations, including the Northumberland coastal footpath; and d. Provide an assessment of the impact of the development on existing coastal defence infrastructure, including whether new infrastructure would be required as a result of the development proposal. 3. Proposals for new or replacement coastal defence schemes will be supported where it can be demonstrated that: a. The works are consistent with the relevant management approach for the area, set out in the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP2); and b. There will be no significant adverse impacts on the coastal environment, including ecological landscape and heritage assets and designations; and c. Where required, a programme of mitigation can be agreed. 4. Within the Coastal Change Management Area (CCMA), as shown on the Policies Map, development will only be supported, where: a. It can be demonstrated that it would not result in adverse changes to the coast taking account of any impacts on landform, land stability, the ecology or biodiversity; and b. It can be demonstrated that it would need to be located within the zone, as opposed to further inland, by virtue of being concerned with a coastal activity that has a direct environmental, community or economic benefit; and c. It will not increase coastal erosion as a result of changes in surface water run-off. d. In exceptional circumstances, where it is necessary to reduce a potentially unacceptable level of future risk to people and the development, structures may be required to be small scale, and/or of a temporary form of construction, and/or granted for a temporary period. e. If, applying the above criteria, the Coast Protection Authority identifies that there could be a risk of adverse effects, including inland of the CCMA, then an erosion vulnerability assessment will be required as part of the application.

Historic environment and heritage assets

1. Development proposals will be assessed and decisions made that ensure the conservation and enhancement of the significance, quality and integrity of Northumberland's heritage assets and their settings. 2. Decisions affecting a heritage asset will be based on a sound understanding of the significance of that asset and the impact of any proposal upon that significance. Applicants will be required to provide a heritage statement; describing the significance of the asset and any contribution made to this significance by its setting. The level of detail should be proportionate to the asset's importance, but should make use of the Historic Environment Record, the Historic Landscape Characterisation Study, any relevant character appraisals or design guides, and/or other relevant records. 3. Development proposals, which will affect a site of archaeological interest, or a site which has the potential to be of archaeological interest, will require an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation. 4. Development proposals that would result in substantial harm to or total loss of the significance of designated heritage assets will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or total loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that would outweigh that harm or loss, or all of the following apply: a. The nature of the heritage asset would prevent all reasonable uses of the site; and b. No viable use of the asset itself could be found in the medium term through appropriate marketing that would enable its conservation; and c. Conservation by grant-funding or some form of not for profit, charitable or public ownership would demonstrably not be possible; and d. The harm or loss is outweighed by the benefit of bringing the site back into use. 5. Where development proposals would cause less than substantial harm to the significance of designated heritage asset, this will be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal, including securing the optimum use that is viable and justifiable. 6. Development proposals that affect the significance of non-designated heritage assets shall require a balanced judgement, taking into account the scale of any harm or loss and the significance of the heritage asset. In the case of a non-designated heritage asset of archaeological interest, the significance of which is demonstrably equivalent to that of a scheduled monument, the policy approach for designated heritage assets will be applied if it: a. Has not formally been assessed for designation; or b. Has been assessed as capable of designation, but not designated by the relevant Government agency; or c. Is not capable of designation under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act because of its physical nature. 7. If, following the above assessment, a decision is made that will result in the loss of all or any part of a heritage asset, or a reduction it its significance, developers will be required to record and advance understanding of the significance of the asset (wholly or in part) in a manner proportionate to its importance and the impact, through appropriate compensatory measures. The results of such measures should be made publicly accessible through appropriate archiving and publication. The ability to create full records in this way should not, in itself, be a factor in deciding whether such loss should be supported. 8. Development proposals that affect heritage assets at risk (national or local) should demonstrate how they will be brought into repair, or appropriately conserved, and the decline halted (and preferably reversed) in a timely manner. Where the asset at risk is a vacant building of permanent and substantial construction (i.e. not a ruin that should remain so), the proposal should secure its reuse in a manner consistent with its conservation. 9. Decisions affecting historic places and sites should take account of the individual and cumulative effect on the wider historic environment including from small scale changes which may gradually erode the historic character and/or the settings of key assets, the visitor economy, the vitality of the area and the quality of place. 10. In cases where development is proposed that will conflict with planning policies, but which would act as enabling development to secure the future conservation of a heritage asset, consideration will be given to whether the benefits outweigh the disbenefits of departing from the policies concerned.

Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site

1. The Council supports measures to protect and enhance Hadrian's Wall in accordance with the Scheduled Monument designation of much of its length and associated assets. Development that would result in substantial harm or loss of the significance of the WHS or assets within it will not be supported unless the exceptional circumstances set out in Policy ENV 7 apply. 2. Development proposals throughout the extent of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site (WHS), its setting, or defined Buffer Zone, should, where possible, seek opportunities to sustain and better reveal the significance of its Outstanding Universal Value as set out in the adopted Statement of OUV and informed by World Heritage Site Management Plan, including seeking to protect and, where appropriate, enhance: a. Evidence of the scale and complexity of the Wall and its associated frontier features; b. The group value of features, including features beyond the World Heritage Site; c. The setting; and d. Communal values including educational and recreational.

Conservation Areas

1. Within a conservation area, or where its setting may be affected: a. It will be ensured that development enhances and reinforces the local distinctiveness of the conservation area, while, wherever possible, better revealing its significance; b. Development that would lead to substantial harm to (or total loss of significance of) any aspect of a Conservation Area that contributes to the reasons that it was so designated, will not be supported unless the exceptional circumstances set out in Policy ENV 7(4) apply; if the harm is less than substantial, this will be weighed against any public benefit that the same development may make to part 1(a) above, applying Policy ENV 7 (5); c. Development must respect existing architectural and historic character and cultural associations, by having regard to: i. Historic plot boundaries, layouts, densities and patterns of development; and ii. The design, positioning, grouping, form, massing, scale, features, detailing and the use of materials in existing buildings and structures; and iii. The contribution made by the public realm, private spaces and other open areas, including hard and soft landscape features, trees, hedges, walls, fences, watercourses and surfacing. 2. Development on public and private open spaces that are integral to the special character of a conservation area or form part of its setting, will be assessed in accordance with part 1b of this policy. Such spaces include those which: a. Contribute to the area's special historic interest; b. Are important spatially and visually to the landscape or townscape qualities of the conservation area; c. Provide views or vistas into, out of or within the conservation area. 3. Development involving the demolition of buildings or structures in a conservation area will be granted consent if they do not make a positive contribution to the conservation area's special interest. Where they do make such a contribution: a. It must be demonstrated that the structural condition of the building or structure is beyond reasonable economic repair; and b. There should be approved detailed plans for the redevelopment of the site and a contract should have been entered into for the implementation of that redevelopment. 4. In order to determine the effect of proposed building and engineering works in Conservation Areas, the Council will require the submission of detailed plans and will not grant outline planning permission, unless they contain sufficient supporting information by which the impact of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area can be judged.

Making the best use of existing buildings (Strategic Policy)

1. Sustainable, high quality and attractive residential communities will be created and promoted by: a. Supporting and enabling interventions to improve and renovate the County's existing housing stock, while enhancing the surrounding residential environment; b. Encouraging and facilitating appropriate renovations to bring long-term empty homes back into use, particularly in the private-rented housing sector within Blyth and Ashington; c. Supporting the conversion and change of use to residential use of other suitable redundant premises, including the renovation of under-used space above shops and the provision of live/work units for rural and agricultural workers' housing. Proposals for change of use to residential use should take account of any impacts on the continued operation of surrounding businesses and any need to retain sufficient premises for business and commercial uses; and d. Considering options, in consultation with local communities, for demolition and redevelopment schemes in areas of low demand or where the existing housing stock does not meet, and is not capable of meeting local housing needs.

Second and holiday homes

1. Within Parishes identified in the most up-to-date Census as having 20% or more household spaces with no usual (i.e. permanent) residents, new market dwellings will only be supported where first and future occupation is restricted in perpetuity to ensure that each new dwelling is occupied only as a 'principal residence'. This restriction will be secured through a planning condition or Section 106 agreement.

Homes for older and vulnerable people

1. Housing and other residential accommodation which meets the changing needs of older people and vulnerable needs groups and which supports residents' desires to live securely and independently in their own homes and communities over their lifetimes will be delivered wherever possible, by: a. Supporting the adaptation of existing homes and the provision of new adaptable homes, including bungalows, level-access flats and sheltered 'extra care' accommodation, located in accessible and sustainable central locations well-served by local health, leisure, education and transport facilities; b. Supporting and facilitating the provision of integrated sheltered residential retirement and 'extra care' accommodation with support for older people and vulnerable adults as part of creating balanced and sustainable communities to meet identified priority needs in Main Towns and Service Centres; c. Supporting and enabling the provision of Use Class C2 residential care and nursing home accommodation options for those older and vulnerable people with physical disabilities and other needs who are unable to live independently, where justified by a specialist housing needs assessment; d. Facilitating the creation of 'lifetime neighbourhoods' and 'retirement villages' that are well-designed to be accessible for everyone, located centrally within larger settlements close to local services and community facilities. Such development should support the principles of 'active ageing', minimise their institutional character and incorporate the delivery of integrated tiered support; and e. Requiring planning applications to demonstrate in their supporting Design and Access Statement that development proposals meet the space and accessibility needs of older and vulnerable people, as well as supporting the principles of 'active ageing'. 2. To ensure that new homes are accessible and adaptable to meet the needs of residents now and in the future, 20% of new open market dwellings and 50% of affordable dwellings will be required to meet or exceed the enhanced accessibility and adaptability housing standards in compliance with Requirement M4(2) of the Building Regulations (or any equivalent successor standards). Exceptions to this requirement will be given for: a. developments of less than 30 dwellings in low value areas, as shown on the Policies Map; b. all or part of a site, as appropriate, where it is clearly demonstrated that the provision of step-free access is not practical, and/or that site-specific factors such as topography, poor vehicular access or other locational circumstances make a site less suitable for housing designed for older persons and those with disabilities, or it would make the development unviable. 3. Accommodation to meet the needs of those who are made homeless, refugees and asylum seekers will be supported where an evidenced need for such accommodation is identified.

Provision for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

1. To facilitate the way of life of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities within the context of Northumberland's environment, economy and its settled communities, the Council will make provision for the necessary sites and yards, and additional pitches and plots over the plan period to meet the needs identified by the most up-to-date Northumberland Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment. 2. Subject to the findings of a new Northumberland Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Assessment and policy requirements of the Northumberland Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Local Plan (which will be submitted within 18 months of the adoption date of this Local Plan): a. Provision will be sought in the Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth and Cramlington area of South East Northumberland to meet the following currently identified needs: i. Between four and eight gypsy and traveller pitches on permanent transit sites in the short to medium-term; and ii. Up to eight permanent pitches to meet medium to longer-term accommodation needs, to be accommodated either within existing permanent gypsy and traveller sites or on appropriate new gypsy and traveller sites. b. The provision of additional plots to meet the needs of travelling showpeople will be supported within or by the appropriate expansion of the existing Showmen's Guild yard at Bomarsund. 3. The following criteria will be taken into consideration when determining proposals for new or extended sites for Gypsies and Travellers and yards for Travelling Showpeople, and in determining planning applications. Sites and yards should: a. Allow for access to appropriate health services and ensure that children can attend school on a regular basis; and b. Incorporate soft landscaping to increase openness and not be enclosed with hard landscaping, high walls or fences, such that the impression may be given that the site and its occupants are deliberately isolated from the local community; and c. Allow for necessary space for the storage of vehicles and equipment; and d. Not result in an unacceptable loss of amenity which may have a detrimental impact upon the health and well-being of any travellers that may locate there or others in the local community; and e. Provide for essential infrastructure and on-site facilities, including water supply, sewerage, and waste removal/recycling, work areas and play areas.

Provision of new residential development (Strategic Policy)

1. The delivery of new open market and affordable dwellings in a range of tenures, types and sizes will be supported where it is consistent with: a. The spatial strategy for Northumberland; b. Meeting the objectively assessed housing needs and housing priorities as identified through an up-to-date assessment; and c. Making the best and most efficient use of land and buildings, encouraging higher densities in the most accessible locations and the redevelopment of suitable previously-developed 'brownfield' sites wherever possible and viable to do so. 2. The housing requirement for Northumberland over the plan period 2016-2036 is for at least 17,700 Use Class C3 net additional dwellings, at an annual average 885 dwellings per annum.

Housing requirements for neighbourhood areas (Strategic Policy)

1. Designated neighbourhood areas should provide for the following minimum housing requirements to help meet Northumberland's overall housing requirements set out in Policy HOU 2: Neighbourhood Area (as designated at March 2020) / Made Neighbourhood Plans (as at March 2020) / Minimum housing requirement 2016 to 2036 South East Delivery Area Choppington / / 340 Cramlington / Made (2020) / 2,500 Ellington and Linton / / 125 Hauxley / / 0 Newbiggin-by-the-Sea / / 360 Seaton Valley / / 540 West Bedlington / / 560 Central Delivery Area Acomb / Made (2019) / 45 Corbridge / / 200 Hexham / / 530 Hexhamshire / / 0 Longhorsley / Made (2018) / 40 Morpeth / Made (2016) / 1,700 Ponteland / Made (2017) / 530 Stannington / Made (2018) / 60 Thirston / / 0 North Delivery Area Acklington / / 0 Adderstone with Lucker / / 0 Alnmouth / / 20 Alnwick and Denwick / Made (2017) / 950 Belford / / 120 Berwick-upon-Tweed / / 680 Craster / / 0 Eglingham / / 0 Ellingham / / 0 Embleton / / 30 Felton / / 42 Lesbury / / 45 Longframlington / / 47 Longhoughton / / 88 Lowick / / 25 Mid-Coquetdale / / 140 Norham and Islandshire / / 150 North Northumberland Coastal Area / Made (2018) / 110 Tillside / / 0 Warkworth / / 70 Wooler / / 170 West Delivery Area Allendale / Made (2015) / 100 Haydon / / 160 Tarset and Greystead / / 0 Whittington / Made (2018) / 0

Housing development site allocations (Strategic Policy)

1. In accordance with the spatial strategy, the following sites, as shown on the Policies Map, are allocated for residential development, to help meet Northumberland's residual housing requirements over the plan period to 2036: a. South East Delivery Area [approximately 344 - 424 net additional homes]: Site allocation Site area (hectares) Indicative dwelling number i Land at Crofton Mill, Plessey Road, Blyth 1.46 45 - 50 ii Land at Sandringham Drive / Windsor Drive, Blyth 1.13 30 - 35 iii Land at Lyndon Walk, Blyth 0.43 10 iv Former Moorside First School, Woodhorn Road, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea 2.40 66 v Land at and north-west of Spital House Farm, North Seaton Road, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea 3.14 55 - 85 vi Site adjacent to Arts Centre, Woodhorn Road, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea 0.26 13 vii Former Whytrig Community Middle School, Western Avenue, Seaton Delaval 1.28 35 - 45 viii Former Brickworks, Pitt Lane, Seghill 0.87 20 ix Land north-east of Park Road (south-east of Bridge Road), Lynemouth 4.48 70 - 100 b. Central Delivery Area [approximately 190 - 239 net additional homes]: Site allocation Site area (hectares) Indicative dwelling number i Former Workhouse and Hospital land, Dean Road, Hexham 1.15 80 - 85 ii Burn Lane Bus Depot and land to rear, Tyne Green Road / Chareway Lane, Hexham 1.81 45 - 55 iii Former Police Houses, Fairfield, Tynedale Terrace, Hexham 0.86 15 - 20 iv Prospect House, Hallgate, Hexham 0.18 10 - 18 v Land west of Station Road, Hexham 0.42 10 - 15 vi Graves Yard (behind Army Reserve Centre), Temperley Place, Hexham 0.18 5 - 8 vii Priestpopple County Buildings, Maiden's Walk, Hexham 0.16 5 - 8 viii Land west of West Road Cemetery, West Road, Prudhoe 1.48 20 - 30 c. North Delivery Area [approximately 295 - 405 net additional homes]: Site allocation Site area (hectares) Indicative dwelling number i Land at Robert's Lodge, east of Etal Road, Eildon View and south of Cemetery Lane, Tweedmouth 6.89 100 - 150 ii Former Coal Yard east of Northumberland Road and west of Billendean Road, Tweedmouth 3.00 60 - 80 iii Berwick Seaview Caravan and Motorhome Site, Billendean Road, Tweedmouth 2.65 30 - 40 iv Land adjacent to former Kwik Save, Walkergate, Berwick-upon-Tweed 0.11 10 v Land east of Broad Road, North Sunderland / Seahouses 5.14 80 - 100 vi The Glebe Field, north of West Street, Norham 1.60 15 - 25 d. West Delivery Area [approximately 296 - 380 net additional homes]: Site Allocation Site area (hectares) Indicative dwelling number i Land to south-west of Park Road, Haltwhistle 7.89 120 - 150 ii Land at Greystonedale Park Road, Haltwhistle 0.90 30 - 35 iii Land west of Hougill, Tyne View Road, Haltwhistle 0.16 5 - 6 iv Former Bellingham Auction Mart, B6320, Bellingham 1.72 50 - 65 v Land at Demesne Farm, Boat Road, Bellingham 1.77 35 - 40 vi Land west of Langley Gardens and north of Ratcliffe Road, Haydon Bridge 2.20 35 - 50 vii Land at Station Road, Haydon Bridge 0.41 8 - 10 viii Land east of Lonkley Terrace, Allendale Town 0.55 8 - 16 ix Land at Splitty Lane, Catton 0.60 5 - 8 2. Proposals for housing development on these sites should: a. Be guided by a masterplan or development brief prepared by or agreed with the Council, or otherwise demonstrate that they would not unacceptably reduce or hinder the development options for a wider site; b. Avoid the development of housing on any parts of the site within Flood Risk Zones 2 or 3, in accordance with the Sequential and Exception Tests for vulnerable uses (unless satisfactory mitigation is built into the scheme); c. Reflect the identified housing needs and market considerations as identified in the most up-to-date Strategic Housing Market Assessment or a local housing needs assessment or other evidence of local housing needs verified by the Council, including the requirement to provide integrated affordable housing; d. Have regard to the provision and timing of the infrastructure enhancements and services necessary to support them, both individually and cumulatively, while minimising and appropriately mitigating any adverse impacts on existing transport and utilities networks; and e. Take into account the findings of Northumberland Local Plan Heritage Impact Assessments, for the relevant site, and demonstrate that any negative impacts on the significance of designated and non-designated heritage assets and their settings have been avoided or otherwise minimised through the recommended site-specific mitigation measures.

Housing types and mix

1. A range of good quality, energy-efficient homes, including affordable homes, will be provided to deliver a more balanced mix of tenures and housing types and sizes, alongside supported specialist housing for older and vulnerable people. Development proposals will be assessed according to how well they contribute to meeting the needs and aspirations of those living in and seeking to move to Northumberland, as identified in the most up-to-date Strategic Housing Market Assessment, a local housing needs assessment and/or other evidence of local housing needs verified by the Council. 2. Community-led housing, including individual and group self-build and custom-housebuilding, will be supported and facilitated, particularly where they will contribute to meeting local housing needs. In addition to stand-alone serviced and unserviced plots, commercial housebuilders will be encouraged to set-aside dedicated serviced plots for self-build and custom-build homes where appropriate within 'major' housing development sites.

Affordable housing provision (Strategic Policy)

1. To deliver affordable homes for sale or rent to meet the identified needs of those not otherwise met by the market, 'major' development proposals of 10 or more units or 0.5 hectares or more (or proposals for five units or more in the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), will be expected to provide on-site affordable housing (or where robustly justified make an equivalent financial contribution in lieu to support off-site provision which will help create mixed and balanced communities) as follows, in accordance with the housing viability value areas shown on the Policies Map: a. within low value areas - 10% affordable (except developments of 10 or more, but less than 30 dwellings which are exempt from making an affordable housing contribution); b. within medium value areas - 15% affordable (except developments of 10 or more, but less than 30 dwellings which are exempt from making an affordable housing contribution); c. within high value areas - 25% affordable; or d. within the highest value areas - 30% affordable. 2. The tenures and dwelling types of the affordable homes will be negotiable within reason on a site-by-site basis to ensure affordability and to reflect local housing needs, as evidenced by the most up-to-date Strategic Housing Market Assessment or a local housing needs assessment or other evidence of local housing needs verified by the Council, and taking into account local market conditions, the structure of the local housing market and interest from potential Registered Providers. The affordable provision will be expected to reflect the following indicative tenure split (while ensuring at least 10% of the total number of homes on the site are for affordable home ownership products, unless NPPF exceptions or those defined in Part 1 of this Policy apply) in accordance with the housing viability value areas shown on the Policies Map: a. within low value areas - 100% affordable home ownership; b. within medium value areas - 33% affordable homes to rent and 67% affordable home ownership; c. within high value areas - 60% affordable homes to rent and 40% affordable home ownership; or d. within the highest value areas - 67% affordable homes to rent and 33% affordable home ownership. 3. The affordable housing provision and/or contribution will be secured by a Section 106 planning obligation agreement. For affordable housing for rent, discount market sales housing, or where public grant funding is provided towards other affordable routes to home ownership, the Section 106 agreement will ensure that the on-site provision remains affordable in perpetuity. 4. Where a financial contribution in lieu of on-site affordable housing provision is clearly justified through negotiation with the Council, this will be calculated in accordance with the formula set out in Appendix D of the Plan. Where off-site provision of affordable housing is clearly justified, in lieu of on-site provision or a financial contribution, the following sequential approach will be applied to determine where the affordable housing should be most appropriately delivered to help meet the County's needs: a. In the settlement (or grouping of Parishes or Wards which make up the settlement) where the contribution arises; b. In an adjoining Parish or Ward; c. Elsewhere in the relevant housing market sub-area where the contribution arises (as identified in the most up-to-date Strategic Housing Market Assessment); d. Elsewhere in the Delivery Area where the contribution arises; or e. To cross-subsidise affordable housing provision where priorities are identified throughout the County.

Exception sites

1. The development of Entry-level Exception Sites for first-time buyers or renters will be supported on sites not allocated for housing adjacent to an existing settlement where: a. There is an evidenced need for affordable entry-level homes that is not already being met in the parish in which the development is located, or neighbouring parishes, and the proposal wholly comprises one-or-more types of affordable housing secured through a Section 106 agreement; b. The proposal is consistent with the Plan's spatial strategy for sustainable development and is well-related to local services and facilities; c. The site is no larger than 1.0 hectare or does not exceed 5% of the size of the existing settlement; and d. The site is not within the Green Belt or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and does not compromise any protected environmental designations. 2. The development of small Rural Exception Sites that would not normally be used for housing within, adjacent to or well-related to an existing settlement will be supported, where: a. The local need for affordable housing is clearly justified and evidenced in an up-to-date local housing needs assessment or other evidence of local housing needs verified by the Council as being necessary to meet local community needs for households who are either current local residents or have an existing family or employment connection to the particular area in which the development is proposed to take place; b. The affordable housing is secured in perpetuity through a Section 106 agreement; c. The development is well-related to local services and facilities, including those outside the settlement where the development is proposed to be located; and d. The development is in scale and keeping with the form, character and landscape setting of the settlement in which it takes place and does not unjustifiably adversely impact on the natural, built and historic environment. 3. Self-build, custom-build and community-led housing projects will be supported as Rural Exception Sites if they meet the requirements of criterion 2. 4. The inclusion of a proportion of market housing within a Rural Exception Site housing scheme will only be supported where: a. The development is predominantly for affordable housing; b. The provision of the market housing element will be for permanent occupation as a principal residence only; and c. The Council considers the provision of market housing helps to facilitate the delivery of the affordable housing.

Isolated residential development in the open countryside

1. The development of isolated homes in the open countryside will only be supported where: a. There is an essential and clearly established need for a full-time rural worker necessary to meet the operational needs of a rural business to live permanently at or near their place of work in the countryside, and where it can be demonstrated that: i. The business is financially sound and viable with a clear prospect of remaining so, the activity and landholding units concerned having been established for at least three years and been profitable for at least one of those last three years; and ii. The functional need could not be fulfilled by any existing dwelling on the landholding unit or any other existing accommodation in the immediate area, which is suitable (including by means of refurbishment or appropriate extension) and potentially available for occupation by the workers concerned; or b. It represents the optimal viable use of a heritage asset, or represents appropriate enabling development to secure the future of a heritage asset(s); or c. It re-uses redundant or disused buildings and enhances its immediate setting; or d. It involves the appropriate sub-division of an existing residential dwelling; or e. The design is of exceptional quality, in that it is truly outstanding or innovative, reflecting the highest standards of architecture, and would help to raise the standards of design in rural areas, and it would significantly enhance its immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area.

Residential development management

1. Residential developments will be supported where they: a. Contribute to a sense of place, which supports community identity and pride; b. Provide, where appropriate, multi-functional spaces that support different recreational and social activities, and consider opportunities for community management and stewardship to support long term management of neighbourhoods and community facilities; c. Provide functional space and facilities for refuse and recycling storage which is appropriate for the development. The location and design of facilities should provide opportunities to screen or reduce their visual prominence, not impact upon amenity, health or security; d. Are constructed to a high quality of design and have regard to design guidance for new housing and extensions set out within the Northumberland Design Guide; and e. Perform positively against 'Building for a Healthy Life' principles, or its successor. 2. Householder proposals for the extension and/or external adaptation of existing dwellings will only be supported where the enhancement: a. Is well-related and subordinate in size and massing to the existing dwelling, and in combination with the existing dwelling forms a visually indivisible single dwelling as a whole; b. Does not have a significant adverse impact on the amenity of adjoining properties in terms of structural proximity and unacceptable loss of daylight/sunlight, privacy and visual outlook; c. Respects, complements and does not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the style and character of the existing dwelling and its setting in terms of its design and use of materials, or on the character of the surrounding area; and d. Retains reasonable garden/yard space and satisfactory off-road parking space for the dwelling.

Planning obligations

1. Where it is not possible to address any unacceptable impacts of development through the use of planning conditions, planning obligations will be secured to ensure that otherwise unacceptable development can be made acceptable. 2. Planning obligations will be used, as necessary, to ensure that development meets relevant planning policy requirements set out in the Local Plan and any made neighbourhood plans. 3. Planning obligations will only be sought where they meet all of the following tests which require that they are: a. necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms; b. directly related to the development; and c. fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development. 4. Planning obligations may be used to secure the timely provision, and/or improvement and maintenance of any physical, social, community and green infrastructure and/or any mitigation and/or compensatory measures reasonably necessary to make a development acceptable in planning terms. This may include all or any of the following and any other reasonable measures that meet statutory requirements: a. Affordable housing (See Appendix D); b. Accessibility and Adaptability Standards; c. Measures to address highways, traffic and transportation impacts; d. Provision and maintenance of SuDS schemes; e. Sport and recreation provision; f. Open space and provision for children and young people and associated maintenance (See Appendix H1); g. Provision for schools and other education facilities (See Appendix H2); h. Provision for primary healthcare (See Appendix H3); i. Training and skills and local employment improvement programmes; j. Provision of community facilities and services; k. Measures to facilitate improvement in health and well-being; l. Environmental improvement and mitigation schemes; m. Landscape improvement schemes; n. Mineral and landfill site restoration and aftercare; and o. Measures to mitigate development impact on designated habitats and species (See Appendix H4).

Planning for high quality communications infrastructure

1. Infrastructure delivering wireless telecommunications and the enhancement and extension of broadband infrastructure will be encouraged. Where it can be demonstrated that it is not feasible to share existing structures, buildings, sites, masts or other structures, new apparatus will be supported provided that the following criteria are met: a. The siting and appearance of the proposed apparatus, infrastructure and any associated structures and access routes are located and designed to minimise their impact on the accessibility and visual amenity, character and appearance of the surrounding area; b. Where apparatus, infrastructure and any associated structures are located on a building, they should be sited and designed to minimise their impact on the external appearance of the host building; and c. The proposal is certified to be in conformity with the latest national guidelines on radiation exposure.

New developments

1. All new dwellings and business premises should be provided with the infrastructure necessary to allow the development to be served by high quality communications infrastructure. Where possible, this should provide access to services from a range of suppliers. This should include full fibre broadband connections as these connections will, in almost all cases, provide the optimum solution. Alternative broadband solutions may be appropriate, where these can be justified. Where no broadband provision is included, developers will be required to demonstrate, including through consultation with broadband providers, that connections are not deliverable, and/or viable.

Delivering development related infrastructure

1. To ensure that development is acceptable in planning terms, and unacceptable impacts are properly mitigated, proposals must demonstrate that there is sufficient appropriate physical, community, social and green infrastructure capacity, both on and off-site, to support the needs arising from the development. 2. Where infrastructure necessary to serve new development is not available, or where existing infrastructure requires improvement due to capacity or other constraints associated with the impact of that development, planning permission will only be granted where suitable enforceable measures are put in place to secure the provision and maintenance of that new or improved infrastructure in a timely manner, when it is required, in order to serve the development.

Water supply and sewerage

1. The satisfactory provision of adequate water supply and sewerage infrastructure will be maintained or secured, having regard to the findings of the Northumberland Water Cycle Study, as follows: a. Making the best use of existing infrastructure while ensuring that new or upgraded infrastructure is provided where and when needed, taking into account phasing plans if necessary, by directing development: i. In terms of the supply of water; • To areas where an adequate supply can be guaranteed; • Within the Berwick and Fowberry Water Resource Zones, ensuring the adequate protection of existing abstraction sources; and • Obtaining an assurance from the water provider that a supply is available to support the development before the proposal is agreed; ii. In terms of the sewerage network and treatment works, primarily to areas where the necessary capacity already exists or is capable of being upgraded, and only then to areas where the required capacity is planned, having regard to: • The infrastructure providers' Drainage and Wastewater Management and Strategic Business Plans; and • The findings of the Northumberland Water Cycle Study. b. Ensuring that, where new water-related infrastructure is needed to serve development, that the provision does not have a harmful impact on existing ecosystems, sites of international, European, national or local importance for biodiversity, the natural or built environment, archaeology, or the amenity of local residents; c. Ensuring that new or improved water and sewage treatment facilities, including fluvial and coastal outfalls, contribute towards improvement in water quality and demonstrate no significant adverse impact upon the natural environment, including the coastal and marine environment; d. Where new or upgraded water related infrastructure is required to meet urgent or essential operational needs, granting permission except where any adverse impact outweighs the need; and e. Retaining an appropriate buffer between development and sewage treatment works, sufficient to allow for operational needs, including any planned expansion of the works, and in order to avoid any odour or noise issues for sensitive neighbouring uses. 2. Non-mains drainage systems, such as package treatment plants should only be employed where the development is sufficiently remote from sewered areas. In such locations, septic tanks should only be employed, in very exceptional circumstances, where on-site treatment is totally unfeasible. Where non-mains drainage systems meet these criteria and are the only solution, careful consideration of their precise siting and design will be required to ensure that there is no adverse impact upon groundwater, water quality or existing ecosystems. 3. The construction of infrastructure must be to the British Standard BS EN 12566, or any future issues of that standard.

Green Belt and tourism and visitor economy

1. The potential of the Green Belt areas to contribute towards strategic economic and tourism aims will be maximised, while ensuring that there would be no greater impact on the Green Belt and the purposes of including land in it. This will be achieved by: a. Subject to national Green Belt policy, allowing open land uses that may lead to a reduction in operational farmland subject to: i. The ability of the farm to continue to operate; and ii. The proposal resulting in a significant increase in the ability of the public to access the countryside on foot, bicycle or on horseback and/or the creation of a new or enhanced visitor attraction of a type that would be most appropriately located in a countryside setting; b. Allowing new buildings that provide for employment-generating or tourism-related uses, as limited infill within the built up form of settlements that are washed over by Green Belt, subject to any built conservation considerations; c. Allowing for the replacement of a building in employment-generating or tourism-related use, so long as the new building is in the same use and not materially larger than the one it replaces; d. Allowing employment generating or tourism development to occupy previously developed land (but not where temporary buildings have been sited) so long as the new buildings do not impact the openness of the Green Belt more than the buildings or structures that were previously on the site. 2. Within the above restrictions, and in line with national Green Belt policy, proposals will be supported if they: a. Allow an existing business and/or employment to continue or modestly grow in situ; b. Allow for facilities that contribute to education, training and upskilling that is connected to rural sectors including agriculture, horticulture and tourism.

Military establishments

1. Subject to national Green Belt policy, proposals associated with defence and military operations will be supported at existing sites where they would enhance or sustain operational capabilities. 2. Non-military or non-defence related development within or in the areas around a defence or military site will not be supported where it would adversely affect military operations or capability, unless it can be demonstrated that there is no longer a defence or military need for the site. 3. Subject to national Green Belt policy, proposals for the redevelopment, conversion and re-use of redundant defence sites will be supported. 4. Proposals for both military and defence related development and the redevelopment of redundant defence sites should: a. Be sympathetic to the character of the site and its surrounding area and where possible, retain and enhance areas for wildlife, green space and landscaping; and b. Provide mitigation in terms of any adverse effects on local infrastructure arising from the proposal. 5. A masterplan should be prepared in liaison with the Local Planning Authority where major redevelopment on existing defence sites for military or defence purposes is proposed or where the development of redundant sites for alternative uses is proposed.

Criteria for assessing the benefits of minerals proposals (Strategic Policy)

1. When determining proposals for minerals extraction, great weight will be given to the benefits of minerals extraction except where the proposal relates to coal extraction. 2. In assessing the benefits of individual proposals for minerals extraction including coal extraction, the following matters will be considered: a. The economic benefits of the proposal both nationally and locally, including contribution to the wider economy and the maintenance of employment and the creation of new employment opportunities; b. The contribution the extraction of the mineral will make to a steady and adequate supply of that material both locally and nationally; c. Environmental enhancements, including those delivered through the restoration of the site following extraction and the after-use of the site and outside of the operational area; d. The avoidance of a mineral resource being sterilised by non-mineral development; e. In the case of prior extraction, the contribution this can make to enabling a non-mineral development taking place; f. The contribution towards the reclamation of areas of derelict or contaminated land and/or the remediation of underground coal mining legacy issues; g. The use of rail transport, water transport, conveyors and pipelines where these methods are used instead of road transport; and h. The benefits of assisting the UK in meeting its binding carbon budgets and targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 3. Other benefits that are material planning considerations and that are not listed in (2) above will be considered where applicants provide evidence of these in support of a planning application.

Spatial strategy

1. To deliver sustainable development which enhances the vitality of communities across Northumberland, supports economic growth, and which conserves and enhances the County's unique environmental assets: a. The Main Towns of Alnwick, Amble, Ashington, Bedlington/Bedlington Station, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blyth, Cramlington, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Morpeth, Ponteland and Prudhoe will be the main focus for employment, housing, retail and services; b. The Service Centres of Allendale, Belford, Bellingham, Corbridge, Guidepost/Stakeford/Choppington/West Sleekburn, Haydon Bridge, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Rothbury, Seahouses, Seaton Delaval/Holywell and Wooler will accommodate employment, housing and services that maintains and strengthens their roles; c. The Service Villages of Acomb, Barrasford, Bardon Mill/Henshaw/Redburn, Broomhill/Togston, Chollerford/Humshaugh, Ellington, Embleton, Felton/West Thirston, Gilsland, Hadston/South Broomhill/Red Row, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Lesbury/Hipsburn/Bilton/Alnmouth, Longframlington, Longhorsley, Longhoughton, Lowick, Lynemouth, New Hartley, Newbrough/Fourstones, Norham, Otterburn, Ovingham, Pegswood, Riding Mill/Broomhaugh, Seaton Sluice/Old Hartley, Seghill, Shilbottle, Stamfordham, Stannington, Stocksfield, Swarland, Wark on Tyne, Warkworth, West Woodburn, Widdrington Station and Wylam will provide for a proportionate level of housing and be the focus for investment in rural areas, to support the provision and retention of local retail, services and facilities; d. In order to support the social and economic vitality of rural areas, and recognising that development in one village can support services and facilities in other nearby villages, Small Villages listed in Appendix A will support a proportionate level of development subject to Green Belt policy considerations where relevant. e. Sustainable development will be supported within Green Belt inset boundaries and within settlement boundaries defined on the Local Plan policies map or in neighbourhood plans. Sustainable development within, or immediately adjacent to the built up form of Main Towns, Service Centres, Service Villages, and Small Villages without defined Green Belt inset boundaries or settlement boundaries will be supported, subject to Green Belt policy considerations where relevant, if it is: i. Commensurate with the size of the settlement; and ii. Reflects the role and function of the settlement; and iii. Does not adversely impact upon the character and appearance of the settlement; and iv. Does not adversely impact upon the setting of the settlement or the surrounding countryside. f. Development in other settlements not identified as Main Towns, Service Centres, Service Villages or Small Villages will be limited to that within the built form of the settlement, and the conversion, extension or redevelopment of existing buildings unless it supports the sustainable growth of an existing business or the formation of a new business, or provides for new or enhanced community facilities. g. Development in the open countryside will be supported if it can be demonstrated that it: i. Supports the sustainable growth and expansion of existing business or the formation of new businesses in accordance with Policy ECN 13; or ii. Supports the development and diversification of agricultural and other land-based rural businesses in accordance with Policy ECN 14; or iii. Supports sustainable rural tourism and leisure developments in accordance with Policy ECN 15; or iv. Provides for residential development in accordance with Policies HOU 7 or HOU 8; or v. Supports the retention, provision or improvement of accessible local services and community facilities which cannot be provided in settlements, in accordance with Policy INF 2; or vi. Provides for essential transport, utilities and energy infrastructure in accordance with other policies in the Local Plan; or vii. Relates to the extraction and processing of minerals, in accordance with other policies in the Local Plan. h. Forms of development in the open countryside, other than those identified in criterion g, will be permitted if they are supported in a made neighbourhood plan. i. Development in the open countryside should be sensitive to its surroundings, not have an unacceptable impact upon the local road network, and use previously developed land where opportunities exist.

Presumption in favour of sustainable development

1. When considering development proposals, the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). It will always work pro-actively with applicants to seek to find solutions that mean proposals that improve the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area can be approved wherever possible. 2. Planning applications that accord with the policies in the Northumberland Local Plan, and policies in 'made' Neighbourhood Plans, and those which have passed referendum, will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. 3. Where there are no relevant policies or the policies which are most important for determining an application are out of date the Council will grant permission unless: a. The application of policies in the NPPF that protect areas or assets of particular importance provide a clear reason for refusing the development proposed; or b. Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies in the NPPF taken as a whole.

Principles of sustainable development

In applying the presumption in favour of sustainable development in Northumberland, and to deliver against economic, social and environmental objectives development proposals will be expected to adhere to the following principles where appropriate: a. Contribute to building a strong, responsive and competitive economy across Northumberland, support more and better jobs, protect and enhance the vitality and viability of Northumberland's town centres and other important economic sectors; b. Provide a type and mix of homes to meet local housing need, and increase choice in the local housing market; c. Support and provide opportunities to improve health, social and cultural wellbeing for all, and provide the infrastructure which is required to enhance the quality of life of individuals and communities; d. Contribute to the conservation and enhancement of Northumberland's natural, historic, water and built environment assets, and contribute to increasing the natural capital resource; e. Minimise their impact upon local amenity for new or existing residents and businesses, adjoining premises and land uses; f. Contribute to net gains for biodiversity and establish a coherent and resilient ecological network; g. Prevent or minimise waste and make prudent and effective use of Northumberland's available finite and renewable resources; h. Make efficient use of land including achieving higher densities in more accessible locations where appropriate, and through the re-use of brownfield sites (except where priority species have been demonstrated to rely on a brownfield site); i. Demonstrate high quality sustainable design which is accessible to all, and which respects and enhances the local distinctiveness of the natural, historic and built environment, helps promote a sense of place, reduces the need for energy, and facilitates flexible and adaptable buildings and environments; j. Be accessible by, or be able to be made accessible by public transport, walking or cycling where feasible, thereby reducing the need to travel for both people and goods, and the dependence on travel by private car; k. Make best use of existing facilities and infrastructure, whilst making appropriate provision for new or additional infrastructure as required; l. Effectively manage the impact on the highway network and utilities infrastructure; m. Maximise energy efficiency and the use of renewable and low carbon energy sources including, but not limited to decentralised energy supply systems; n. Be located in areas which are least vulnerable to climatic impacts such as risk from all sources of flooding and rising sea levels; and o. Anticipated impacts, including those from climate change, on the historic and natural environment, including landscape, biodiversity, ecosystems and water resources should be avoided by locating development elsewhere, adequately mitigated, or as a last resort, adequately compensated for.

Waste disposal (Strategic Policy)

1. The strategy for hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal is to: a. Seek to minimise waste managed by landfill and maximise the use of solutions higher up the waste hierarchy; b. Focus disposal and any further disposal capacity over the plan period at Ellington Road Landfill Site. Alternative locations will be considered where it can demonstrated that these are more sustainable, particularly in terms of their proximity to the main sources of waste arisings, their transport connections and environmental acceptability; and c. Encourage the positive use of inert waste material through the restoration of mineral extraction sites and for land reclamation and improvement schemes, where it is possible to do so. 2. Proposals for additional disposal capacity will be supported where: a. It can be demonstrated by the applicant that the waste cannot be practically managed using solutions higher up the waste hierarchy; b. It can be demonstrated by the applicant that the proposal would not have an unacceptable adverse effect on local communities, sensitive receptors and the natural and historic environment; c. The proposal would not result in the creation of excessive capacity which would lead to the unnecessary import of waste from outside Northumberland, whilst recognising that the economics and the specialist nature of some facilities may mean they operate over larger than local catchments; d. The proposal is well related to the transport network and, where practical, located and designed to enable transport by rail or water. Where road transport is proposed the applicant shall demonstrate that there would be no unacceptable adverse effects on the surrounding highway network and infrastructure capacity, or such effects can be suitably mitigated through improvement measures; e. It makes provision for the capture and use of landfill gas for energy generation, where the proposal involves the disposal of non-inert waste; and f. The proposal is supported by a detailed restoration and aftercare scheme.

Safeguarding waste management facilities (Strategic Policy)

1. Existing waste management facilities (as shown on the Policies Map) will be safeguarded from development that would prejudice or prevent the use of the site for waste management uses. 2. Proposals within or in the vicinity of an existing waste management facility will be supported where the applicant can demonstrate that: a. The proposal will not prevent or unreasonably restrict the operation of the waste development; b. There is no longer a need for the facility; c. The continued use of the site for waste management purposes would be unacceptable in terms of its effects on local communities and/or the environment; d. The current use of the site for waste management is temporary and unsuitable for continued future use for waste management; e. A suitable alternative site for the waste management use is available and has planning permission; or f. There is an overriding need for the proposed development that provides wider benefits that clearly outweigh those from the retention of the site for waste use.

Hierarchy of centres (Strategic Policy)

1. A hierarchy of centres is defined as follows: a. Main towns - larger centres: Alnwick, Ashington, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blyth, Cramlington, Morpeth and Hexham; b. Main town - smaller centres: Amble, Bedlington and Haltwhistle, Ponteland and Prudhoe; c. Service Centres: Allendale, Belford, Bellingham, Corbridge, Haydon Bridge, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Rothbury, Seahouses, Seaton Delaval and Wooler; d. Other small parades or clusters of shops and related services in towns and larger villages not part of the centres defined above. 2. In assessing development proposals, growth within centres will be supported and encouraged at a scale which helps to maintain and reinforce their roles within the hierarchy, as well as their relationship with regional centres. 3. Proposals that seek to replace significant areas of Main Town Centre Uses with other uses will be resisted if it is demonstrable that this would undermine the centre's overall role and position within the hierarchy.

Defining centres in Main Towns (Strategic Policy)

1. Town Centre and Primary Shopping Area boundaries are defined on the Policies Map. These may be subject to review or updating in Neighbourhood Plans. Main Town Centre Uses should be located within these boundaries, unless there are positive planning reasons to locate them elsewhere that outweigh other policy considerations.

Maintaining and enhancing the role of centres (Strategic Policy)

1. Northumberland's town and village centres will be supported and promoted, through planning decisions, in their role as: a. Community and service hubs; b. Vital and viable centres for shopping, business, culture and leisure; and c. Places to live, work and visit. 2. This will be achieved in main towns by identifying opportunities and supporting proposals for developments which are physically and functionally integrated with and add choice to the existing shopping and related service offer in the Primary Shopping Area and a wide range of Main Town Centre Uses in the wider Town Centre - specifically: a. Within or, where opportunities are lacking and sequential and impact testing allow, immediately abutting Town Centre boundaries, promoting the development of schemes involving a mix of appropriate Main Town Centre Uses, allowing an element of residential as part of any mixed use scheme. This will include: i. Blyth Town Centre, especially considering opportunities to the north and east of Keel Row, including a replacement bus station, should the existing bus station be displaced; ii. Ashington Town Centre, to the north-east of the town centre, including the possibility of a new bus station somewhere within the overall area; iii. Cramlington Town Centre, especially the opportunities offered by vacant buildings to the south of Manor Walks; iv. Bedlington, to the rear of the north side of Front Street within the constraints of the Conservation Area; v. Prudhoe, to the rear of the north side of Front Street; vi. Haltwhistle, to the south of the B6322, area including the existing service station; vii. Ponteland, in the vicinity of Merton Road; viii. Amble, including land north west of Queen Street. b. Encouraging and supporting schemes for the renewal of blocks and frontages, especially where this will result in more modern shopping, leisure or office floorspace, offering larger floorplates, provided that this will not alter the historic layout or harm the character or historic significance of the town centre concerned. This will include consideration of such opportunities in: i. Blyth Town Centre, areas around the Market Place, Regent Street and Bowes Street; ii. Ashington Town Centre, along parts of Station Road and Woodhorn Road; iii. Prudhoe Town Centre, along parts of Front Street. c. Further intensification of uses within Manor Walks, Cramlington. d. Within the constraints of built conservation policies, allowing for small scale opportunities for enhancement of town centre offer including, if possible, the introduction of larger floor-plates, in the defined centres of Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Morpeth, Hexham, Bedlington, Amble and Haltwhistle. 3. Within Service Centres, and in other villages where there are clusters of services, new provision should be within a scale appropriate to meeting the shopping, leisure or other service requirements of residents living in those settlements and their catchments; 4. All development of additional Main Town Centre Uses will be considered positively if it will deliver social, economic and/or environmental benefits for the centre concerned, but it must be in scale with the size and function of the centre, taking into account the overall size of the settlement and its catchment and planned growth of that settlement over the plan period. 5. Schemes that will facilitate the continuation of established town centre businesses in situ or elsewhere within the defined town centres will be supported. 6. The location of purpose-built offices in defined Town Centres and their inclusion as part of mixed use schemes will be encouraged and supported. 7. Town Centres will be promoted as places to live and work through the encouragement of a mix of residential and office use on upper floors on main shopping streets and other appropriate locations, especially if this leads to the reoccupation of disused premises and provided it would not, individually or cumulatively, lead to an unacceptable reduction in vitality and viability or limit the operation of an existing established 'Main Town Centre' service or business. 8. The unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services will be resisted, particularly where this would reduce the community's ability to meet its day-to-day needs; this will especially apply to any significant loss of local community uses in Use Class F2 or the total loss of a parade of shops and services.

Proposals outside centres

1. Where proposals for main town centre uses come forward on sites outside defined town centre boundaries, and they are of a scale that would be inappropriate in a less accessible location, they will be subject, first to proportionate and appropriate sequential testing and then, if a suitable more central site cannot be identified, to impact testing, as follows: a. Proposals that would add more than 1,000 square metres gross retail floorspace: i. In Larger Town Centres, those beyond Primary Shopping Area boundaries; or ii. In Smaller Town Centres, those beyond Town Centre boundaries b. Proposals for leisure-related buildings of 2,500 square metres gross floorspace, not linked with wider open space activities, that are beyond defined Town Centre boundaries. 2. Where the above testing demonstrates that the Main Town Centre Use can only be accommodated in an edge- or out-of-centre location, priority should be given to accessible sites well connected to the town centre or (failing that) connected to other existing services, and, wherever possible, be well related to residential areas. 3. Development of Main Town Centre Uses that are away from defined centres, below the thresholds in part 1 of this Policy, and in the built-up areas of towns and villages, will not be subject to the above testing, but should: a. Wherever possible, contribute to the range and choice of services offered in the local area; and b. Be accessible and well related to existing services.

Keeping high streets vibrant

1. Within defined Town Centres, the Council will seek to maintain and enhance vitality and viability through geographically specific policy approaches. 2. Key Shopping Frontages are defined on the Policies Map for the seven Main town larger centres. Within these frontages, the Council will seek to maximise the active frontage through supporting and encouraging Use Class E shops, restaurants and cafes and, on a limited basis, other uses, subject to: a. Not supporting applications, if this would take the length of the active ground floor frontage to below 75% of the length of the Key Shopping Frontage; b. Not supporting hot food takeaways on Key Shopping Frontages except in exceptional circumstances; c. Supporting changes to other main town centre uses on the ground floor frontage of the Key Shopping Frontage, where it can be demonstrated that this would result in an increase in the active street frontage; d. Permitting variation from (a) to (c) above where the unit concerned has been vacant for more than a year and the overall vacancy level of the Key Shopping Frontage exceeds 10% of the units that have a ground floor frontage. 3. Improvements in the public realm of centres will be designed to encourage people to visit the centre more and remain there longer, through measures such as pedestrianisation, seating, landscaping, complementary services and controlling shop front design; these aspects should: a. Adhere to the design policies elsewhere in the Plan and any design guidance that forms part of the Northumberland Design Guide; b. Cater for the needs of people with disabilities; and c. Comply with the requirements of Policy QOP 3 Public Realm Design Principles. 4. Proposals will ensure that there is no loss of public spaces in central, accessible locations that have the capacity to host markets or other events and activities appropriate to town centres. 5. Within the constraints of residential amenity, businesses that are likely to contribute to the evening economy and remain open late will be encouraged and supported to the extent that they would add to the vitality of streets but, those on Key Shopping Frontages, should not detract through being closed and shuttered during the day. 6. Proposals will ensure that public transport stopping areas, car and cycle parking, short stay drop-off and collection points, and pedestrian and cycle routes into and around town centres are fit for purpose to serve the access requirements of their main areas of activity.

Hot food takeaways

1. New hot food takeaways will be supported where all of the following apply: a. They are within a Main Town or, otherwise, within an electoral division where no more than 35.3% of Year 6 pupils are classified as overweight or obese; b. They are within a Main Town or, otherwise, within an electoral division where the number of approved hot food takeaway establishments per 1,000 resident population, based on the latest data from the Local Land and Property Gazetteer, is less than the Northumberland average of 0.6 per 1,000 resident population in March 2018; c. They are over 400 metres walk from any entrance gate of any existing or proposed school or college with students under the age of 18 years; d. They will not create or add to a cluster of three or more adjacent hot food takeaways within a 100 metre radius of any given point; e. They will not be replacing the last convenience shop or public house in a village or the last convenience shop in a parade of shops that serve a residential area; f. They would not create safety hazards for pedestrians or other users of the public highway; g. They will not have an adverse effect on the living conditions of any nearby residents from noise or disturbance or litter or odours or that any such disturbance can be suitably mitigated.

Promoting sustainable connections (Strategic Policy)

1. The transport implications of development must be addressed as part of any planning application. Where relevant this includes the use of Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Travel Plans. Where applicable and appropriate, development will be required to: a. Promote a spatial distribution which creates accessible development, reduces the need to travel by car, and maximises the use of sustainable modes of transport; b. Promote good design principles in respect of the permeability, connectivity and legibility of buildings and public spaces; and inclusive access; c. Promote sustainable transport choices, including supporting, providing and connecting to networks for walking, cycling and public transport; and infrastructure that supports the use of low and ultra low emission vehicles; d. Address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to all modes of transport; e. Ensure delivery of cycle parking and supporting infrastructure; f. Protect, enhance and support public rights of way; g. Support the delivery of reliable, safe and efficient transport networks, in partnership with other organisations, service providers and developers; h. Be designed to enable charging of plug-in and other ultra low emission vehicles in safe, accessible, convenient locations; and i. Submit delivery and service plans, where development is proposed for commercial use, or any other proposal which is likely to generate a large movement of goods and materials.

The effects of development on the transport network

1. All developments affecting the transport network will be required to: a. Provide effective and safe access and egress to the existing transport network; b. Include appropriate measures to avoid, mitigate and manage any significant impacts on highway capacity, congestion or on highway safety including any contribution to cumulative impacts; c. Minimise conflict between different modes of transport, including measures for network, traffic and parking management where necessary; d. Facilitate the safe use of the network, including suitable crossing points, footways and dedicated provision for cyclists and equestrian users where necessary; e. Suitably accommodate the delivery of goods and supplies, access for maintenance and refuse collection where necessary; and f. Minimise any adverse impact on communities and the environment, including noise and air quality.

Improving Northumberland's core road network

1. In assessing development proposals, support will be given to the maintenance and improvement of Northumberland's core road network by: a. The creation of additional capacity and improvement measures on the Strategic Road Network, including for: i. The 'A19 North of Newcastle Junctions'; and ii. The A1 in Northumberland; and iii. Any improvement measures emanating from Highways England's Road Investment Strategies and other strategic assessment of the highway network. b. Supporting and identifying acceptable lines and areas of improvements through the plan period including for the: i. Full dualling of the A1 through Northumberland and improved local links/junctions to the A1; and ii. Full dualling of the A69 through Northumberland and improved local links/junctions to the A69. c. Working collaboratively with stakeholders, including Highways England, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, North East Combined Authority and the North of Tyne Combined Authority to deliver continued improvements to the core road network; d. Influencing the management, movement and routing of road freight to best effect, while minimising adverse impacts on the environment and communities. 2. Development will not be supported where it is considered to potentially prejudice the following Strategic Road Network improvements and such prejudice cannot be overcome: a. 'A19 North of Newcastle Junctions' comprising A19/A189 Moor Farm, A19/Dudley Lane, and A1/A19/A1068 Seaton Burn / Fisher Lane Interchange junctions; b. A69/ B6531, west of Hexham. 3. In assessing development proposals, support will be given to the maintenance and improvement of Northumberland's Local Road Network. Development will not be supported where it is considered to potentially prejudice the progression of the following Local Road Network Improvement schemes and such prejudice cannot be overcome: a. Ponteland Bypass; b. Newbiggin/Ashington Link; c. Blyth Relief Road; d. Stobhill-Loansdean Link, Morpeth; e. East-West Link, Cramlington; and f. Lancastrian Road, Cramlington. 4. Support will be given through to development and creation of freight and logistics and lorry parking including: a. Extension to Purdy Lodge, Adderstone; and b. As part of improvement schemes along the A1 and A69.

Parking provision in new development

1. An appropriate amount of off-street vehicle parking sufficient to serve new development shall be made available in safe, accessible and convenient locations prior to the development, as a whole or in part, being brought into use. Vehicle parking should normally be provided in accordance with the parking standards set out in Appendix E of the Local Plan, or other such local standards set out in made neighbourhood plans which will be given priority in determining the appropriate amount of parking required. 2. Where provision is not made in accordance with the relevant standards, it must be demonstrated how the amount of parking proposed to serve the development takes into account: a. The scale, type, mix and use of the development; b. The proximity and accessibility of the development to services and facilities reasonably required by users or occupiers of the development; c. The availability of and opportunities for access to and from the development by public transport, walking and cycling; d. The potential for road safety and environmental problems as a result of increased parking demand in the area; and e. The extent and nature of any parking restrictions in force on highways in the area.

Rail transport and facilities

1. Development which would prejudice the retention of rail transport facilities will not be supported unless the benefits of the development outweigh the importance of the retention of the facilities. 2. Development which would prevent the reintroduction of passenger rail services on the Northumberland Line along with associated stations, facilities and access to them from adjacent highways, and continued rail freight use of the Northumberland Line, its associated branch lines (including the branch line from Bedlington to Morpeth via Choppington, the Butterwell line north of Ashington and the line from Woodhorn to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea) and supporting infrastructure will not be supported. 3. Development will not be supported which is considered to potentially prejudice the development and, or operation of potential stations at the following locations: a. Woodhorn (future phase) b. Newbiggin (future phase) c. Ashington d. Bedlington Station e. Blyth Bebside f. Newsham g. Seaton Delaval h. Seghill (future phase) 4. The following routes which are partly operational, or offer an extension to existing operational rail lines, will be protected for future rail use: a. South Tynedale Railway between Alston and Slaggyford; b. Aln Valley Railway linking Alnwick with Alnmouth; and c. Former railway track bed between Newcastle Airport Metro Station and Ponteland. 5. Development on the route or alignment of other disused railway lines used for walking and/or, cycling and/or horse riding will only be supported: a. If it does not prejudice the current or future use of the line for leisure purposes; or b. Appropriate diversions can be provided, or c. The benefits of the development outweigh the importance of the retention of the line in its entirety, or in that location. 6. Development which would prevent the reintroduction of the following stations will not be supported: a. Gilsland, on the Tyne Valley Line; and b. Belford, on the East Coast Main Line. 7. Existing rail freight facilities will be safeguarded and the principle of improvement to infrastructure will be support at the following locations: a. Battleship Wharf, Port of Blyth; b. Former Rio Tinto Alcan facilities: i. Aluminium Smelting Plant Lynefield Park; and ii. Lynemouth Power Station; c. Alumina handling facilities, Port of Blyth; and d. Tweedmouth Goods Yard. 8. In accordance with Policy MIN 6, infrastructure associated with the transport of minerals will also be safeguarded. 9. Support will be given to proposals to improve the flow of passengers and freight by rail, including: a. Improvements to station parking at the following locations: Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Cramlington, Morpeth and Prudhoe b. Improvements to car and cycle parking provision at stations; c. Improvements to station facilities provided that they would not result in an unacceptable impact on the environment and communities. d. Improvements to the frequency and quality of passenger rail services stopping at Northumberland stations; 10. Development which would prejudice the retention and, or improvement of these rail transport facilities will not be supported unless the benefits of the development outweigh the importance of the facilities. 11. Proposals for the creation of new level crossings on the rail network will not be supported. Proposals which jeopardise public safety at level crossings will not be supported. Measures to improve public safety at level crossings will be supported. Improvement, alteration or closure of level crossings, or appropriate contributions towards the implementation of such works, may be secured through the grant of planning permission for development where it can be demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority, that those works are directly related to the impact that development may have on the level crossing and they are necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms.

Newcastle International Airport

1. In assessing development proposals, the Council will support the sustainable development of Newcastle International Airport, applying the Airport Master Plan in its present or future iterations. 2. The important contribution of land within Northumberland to the functioning and growth of the Airport will be recognised through the allocation, for airport related uses, of around 25 hectares of land north of the County boundary. This land will accommodate possible growth for passenger or freight facilities and activities supplementary to the airport's operation, including necessary car parking expansion.

Aerodrome Safeguarding Areas

1. Officially safeguarded aerodromes have been established for Carlisle Lake District Airport and Newcastle International Airport. An unofficial safeguarded aerodrome has been established for Eshott Airfield. The following planning applications will be the subject of consultation with the operator of the respective aerodromes and there may be restrictions on the height or detailed design of buildings, or on development which might create a bird hazard: a. All development proposals falling within the Carlisle Lake District Airport Aerodrome Safeguarding Area inner zone. b. Development proposals falling within the Newcastle International Airport Aerodrome Safeguarding Area inner zone which include, or may include, the following: i. all buildings, structures, erections and works exceeding the height threshold specified on the Policies Map; ii. development using highly reflective materials such as glazed roofs or photovoltaic cells; iii. landscaping schemes, the development of open water, and building design which could encourage wildlife habitats and may lead to increased risk of an aircraft encountering a bird strike; iv. lighting which has the potential to cause distraction or glare for pilots, or could imitate airfield lighting; or v. induced turbulence from buildings, through heat emissions etc. c. Development proposals involving wind turbines falling within the defined Aerodrome Safeguarding Areas outer zones as shown on the Policies Map. d. Development proposals falling within the Eshott Airfield Aerodrome Safeguarding Zone which include, or may include, the following; all buildings, structures, erections and works exceeding the height threshold specified on the Policies Map; 2. Development proposals requiring consultation with the relevant airport operator will be supported where it can be demonstrated that they will not have an unacceptable impact on the safe operation on the aerodrome.

Ports, harbours and beach launch facilities

1. Development proposals will be supported that provide for the expansion of port facilities at Blyth, Berwick and Amble, connections to the industries they serve, and new freight movement patterns and suitable vehicular routes, to allow for the growth in sustainable sea-based freight movement. 2. Proposals for the development of harbour and beach launch facilities to maintain and sustainably grow the fishing industry will be supported. 3. Appropriate leisure and tourism developments will be supported provided that they will not adversely impact on the functioning of commercial port and harbour activities, including the fishing industry. 4. Development of port, harbour and beach launch facilities will be planned and implemented, taking full account of the interaction between communities, the local economy and the environment. Proposals will be required to demonstrate that: a. The development would not result in a net loss of inter-tidal or sub-tidal habitat; b. The development would not impact on bird migration, fish migration or cetaceans; c. Any harm to, or loss of significance of historic ports and harbours will meet the relevant criteria in Policy ENV 7; and d. Any unacceptable adverse impacts of development upon the amenity of sensitive neighbouring uses are adequately mitigated.