Northumberland Local Plan Schedule of proposed Main Modifications to the Northumberland Local Plan June 2021 0 Northumberland Local Plan – Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications June 2021 Introduction Following the submission of the Northumberland Local Plan for Independent Examination to the Secretary of State in May 2019, the appointed Inspectors have considered all written representations received, and had regard to matters raised during a series of public hearings held during 2019 and 2020. The Inspectors have concluded that Main Modifications are required to make the plan sound. The Inspectors have requested that the Council consults on a schedule of proposed Main Modifications which they consider are necessary to ensure the soundness of the plan. The proposed Main Modifications are put forward without prejudice to the Inspectors’ final conclusions regarding the soundness of the Plan. The Inspectors will take account of the responses to the consultation before reaching final conclusions on the Main Modifications that are required to the Plan. This document sets out the proposed Main Modifications for the Northumberland Local Plan. These modifications have been subject to sustainability appraisal and habitats regulations assessment. Representations are only invited in relation to the proposed Main Modifications set out in this document, the schedule of proposed modifications to the Local Plan Policies Map, the Sustainability Appraisal of the Main Modifications and Policies Map changes and the Habitats Regulations Assessment of the Main Modifications and Policies Map changes. Representations relating to other aspects of the Plan or “omission sites” will not be considered by the Inspector. The Council may make Additional Changes to the plan which do not relate to soundness issues, but they are not a matter for this consultation. The proposed Main Modifications as set out in this document are expressed in the form of strikethrough for deletions and underlining for additions of text. The first column in the table shows the Main Modification reference number. 1 Schedule of proposed main modifications Chapter 1: Introduction Main Mods Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for proposed Ref. No. Paragraph / main modification Figure reference MM1 Paragraph Add a paragraph to read: To set out the Council’s 1.6a Local Plan commitments in As set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS), the Council is committed to undertaking an early and relation to GTTS and open partial update of the Local Plan in so far as it relates to open space, sport and recreation and sites space. allocated as Protected Open Space in Policy INF 5, and to produce a separate Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Local Plan (GTTSLP). When adopted, the policies in the GTTSLP will supersede Policy HOU 12 in the Northumberland Local Plan. The partial update, and the GTTSLP will be submitted within 18 months of the adoption date of this Local Plan. 2 Chapter 3: Spatial Vision, Objectives and Outcomes Main Mods Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for proposed Ref. No. Paragraph / main modification Figure reference MM2 Paragraph Amend paragraph to read: To ensure consistency with 3.17 the NPPF and Policy MIN3. Key outcomes: ● Finite mineral resources across the County have not been unnecessarily sterilised and land has In response to a been made available to meet defined needs; representation. ● Minerals extraction, transport and processing does not have unacceptable adverse impacts on natural resources (air, water, soil), the natural and historic environment or local communities; ● Net gains in There has been no net loss of biodiversity have been delivered, with the creation of new priority habitats and green infrastructure in minerals reclamation schemes; ● The minerals industry remains an important source of employment; ● Northumberland continues to have a well-established and spatially distributed network of waste management facilities, with sufficient capacity. Recycling and recovery rates are maximised; ● The need to generate energy is effectively balanced with the need to protect Northumberland's environment and communities from any significant adverse impacts associated with it; ● Efficient use is made of land and existing buildings, with priority given to the development of previously developed land, wherever possible. 3 Chapter 4: Delivering the Vision for Northumberland Main Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for proposed main Mods Paragraph / modification Ref. No. Figure reference MM3 Paragraph Amend paragraph to read: For clarity and to reflect 4.36 modifications to Policy STP1. Service Villages generally have a school or a shop, and population of a size considered likely to maintain the viability of such services into the future. They have a reasonable level of public transport to enable Further reasoning is set out in residents to access some higher level services without the reliance upon private transport. A settlement's EX/NCC/82. status is not reliant upon one specific criterion, and may be influenced by its close proximity to other settlements. A proportionate level of growth is supported in Service Villages to support the provision and retention of services and facilities. Paragraph Add paragraph to read: For clarity and in response to 4.36a representations. Northumberland contains many small villages and hamlets. While the Local Plan does not actively direct Moved from Paragraph 4.40 to a development to small villages, it is recognised that a level of development is required in rural areas to more appropriate location. support social and economic vitality, and that development in one village can support services and facilities in another nearby. In small villages not identified as Main Towns, Service Centres or Service In response to matters raised Villages, small scale development will be supported subject to a number of criteria. during the Matter 2 Hearing Session and ACT/02/07 Further reasoning is set out in EX/NCC/82. Paragraph Add paragraph to read: For clarity, in response to 4.36b representations and to be more A Small Village is defined as a cluster of dwellings and associated buildings which has a recognised effective. name and identity, and a church or other community building. Appendix A identifies those settlements identified as Small Villages. Moved from Paragraph 4.40 to more appropriate location. In response to matters raised during the Matter 2 Hearing Sessions and ACT/02/07. Further reasoning is set out in EX/NCC/82. 4 Main Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for proposed main Mods Paragraph / modification Ref. No. Figure reference Table 4.1 Amend table to read: Settlement To ensure a consistent approach hierarchy Table 4.1 Settlement hierarchy Hierarchy of settlements by Delivery Area across the hierarchy, as adjacent settlements, West Thirston should be grouped with Felton, and West Main Towns Sleekburn grouped with Guidepost/Stakeford/Choppington. Alnwick, Amble, Ashington, Bedlington/Bedlington Station, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blyth, Cramlington, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Morpeth, Ponteland, Prudhoe However, Broomley is somewhat remote from Stocksfield and Service Centres should not be grouped with the larger settlement. Allendale, Belford, Bellingham, Corbridge, Guidepost/Stakeford/Choppington, Haydon Bridge, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Rothbury, Seahouses/North Sunderland, Seaton Delaval/Holywell, In response to matters raised Wooler during the Matter 2 Hearing Service Villages Session, ACT/02/08, and EX/INS/50. Further reasoning is Acomb, Barrasford, Bardon Mill/Henshaw/Redburn, Broomhill/Togston, Chollerford/Humshaugh, set out in EX/NCC/82 and Ellington, Embleton, Felton, Gilsland, Hadston/South Broomhill/Red Row, Heddon-on-the-Wall, EX/NCC/189. Lesbury/Hipsburn/Bilton/Alnmouth, Longframlington, Longhorsley, Longhoughton, Lowick, Lynemouth, New Hartley, Newbrough/Fourstones, Norham, Otterburn, Ovingham, Pegswood, Grouping the settlements in the Riding Mill/Broomhaugh, Seaton Sluice/Old Hartley, Seghill, Shilbottle, Stamfordham, hierarchy by Delivery Area adds Stannington, Stocksfield/Broomley, Swarland, Wark on Tyne, Warkworth, West Woodburn, clarity and is consistent with Widdrington Station, Wylam evidence in relation to the hierarchy in EX/NCC/82 and EX/NCC/115. Main Towns South East: Amble, Ashington, Bedlington/Bedlington Station, Blyth, Cramlington Central: Hexham, Morpeth, Ponteland, Prudhoe North: Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed West: Haltwhistle 5 Main Policy / Proposed main modification Reason for proposed main Mods Paragraph / modification Ref. No. Figure reference Service Centres South East: Guidepost/Stakeford/Choppington/West Sleekburn, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Seaton Delaval/Holywell Central: Corbridge North: Belford, Rothbury, Seahouses/North Sunderland, Wooler West: Allendale, Bellingham, Haydon Bridge Service Villages South East: Broomhill/Togston, Ellington, Hadston/South Broomhill/Red Row, Lynemouth, New Hartley, Seaton Sluice/Old Hartley, Seghill, Widdrington Station Central: Acomb, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Longhorsley, Ovingham, Pegswood, Riding Mill/Broomhaugh, Stamfordham, Stannington, Stocksfield/Broomley, Wylam North: Embleton, Felton/West Thirston1, Lesbury/Hipsburn/Bilton/Alnmouth, Longframlington, Longhoughton, Lowick, Norham, Shilbottle, Swarland, Warkworth West: Barrasford, Bardon Mill/Henshaw/Redburn, Chollerford/Humshaugh, Gilsland, Newbrough/Fourstones, Otterburn, Wark on Tyne, West Woodburn 1 The village of West Thirston is located in the Central Delivery Area but the