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The Local Plan was adopted in June 2026 and sets out planning policies that apply to the whole National Park.
What is a Local Plan?
The Local Plan is the single most important consideration when making decisions on planning applications and proposals will almost always have to comply with its policies if they are to get permission.
It aims to facilitate high quality housing, farming and business development, together with appropriate infrastructure, in order to promote the wellbeing of the National Park’s communities and economy. It does this by allocating land for development and establishing policies that set out they types and locations of development that can be permitted.
It also provides safeguards against inappropriate or harmful development, by designating land for protection and requiring suitable mitigation measures.
In doing so, it ensures that National Park purposes are furthered, while also promoting sustainable development.
Local Plan documents
Local plan – the main text document setting out the vision, objectives, policies and their justification.
Policies maps – set out land allocations and designations relevant to the policies.
Design Guide – gives more detailed advice on the design approach expected in the National Park. Although the Design Guide is not part of the Local Plan itself, it is referred to throughout the Local Plan, and has been adopted as a ‘Supplementary Planning Document’ , making it an important consideration in decisions.
Local Plan preparation
The Local Plan was prepared over several years involving eight different consultation stages and was informed by an extensive evidence base. Some of the most important of these evidence documents can be found below:
- Demographic Evidence, Edge Analytics, October 2019
- Socio-economic Wellbeing Assessment & Appendix, Edge Economics Ltd, 2019
- Strategic Housing Market Assessment, Final Report, Arc 4, November 2019 & 2024 Update report, Arc 4, July 2024
- Economic Viability Assessment, Three Dragons and Rural Housing Solutions April 2022 & Addendum Report January 2025
- Housing Land Availability Assessment, (Regulation 22 version), June 2025 & Appendices, YDNPA, June 2025
- Housing Site Allocation Landscape Sensitivity Assessments, Sheils Flynn, August 2022
- Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, JBA Consulting, (inc Appendix A-F), June 2022
Local Plan Examination
The Local Plan had to be assessed by the Planning Inspectorate before it could be adopted and used for planning decisions. This required a public examination in 2025/26 and culminated in the Inspector’s final report finding the Plan to be sound.
The Local Plan was adopted on 30th June 2026 and a formal adoption notice was issued.
Implementation and Monitoring
The National Park Authority is required to undertake a range of monitoring and information gathering to meet legal requirements. Further information can be found on the Local Plan Monitoring page.
Housing development is particularly important and there is a dedicated page relating to supporting new housing.
Contact us:
Telephone: 01969 652300
Email: localplan@yorkshiredales.org.uk
Sustainable Development Team
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Yoredale
Bainbridge
LEYBURN
North Yorkshire
DL8 3EL