Core Strategy

Core Strategy (incorporating Development Control Policies)

In September 2008 the North Norfolk Local Plan (1998) was replaced with a new Development Plan Document known as the Core Strategy. The document provides a detailed framework for the control of development and use of land that will guide most day-to-day planning decisions in North Norfolk. The Core Strategy has recently been updated to reflect newly adopted Policy HO9 (Conversion & Re-use of Rural Buildings as Dwellings) which is available below.

Briefly, the adopted Core Strategy determines that:

• the majority of new commercial and residential development will be directed to the "Principal Settlements" of Cromer, Fakenham, Holt and North Walsham;
• there will be more limited development opportunities in the "Secondary Settlements" of Hoveton, Sheringham, Stalham and Wells-next-the-Sea;
• a small amount of new development will be focussed on a number of designated "Service Villages" and "Coastal Service Villages" in order to support rural sustainability;
• in the rest of the District, known as the "Countryside Area", development will be restricted to particular types of development such as that to support the rural economy, meet affordable housing needs and to provide renewable energy.

It also contains a series of development control policies that are used to determine planning decisions. These cover specific topics such as affordable housing, housing density, tourism, flood risk, coastal erosion, redundant defence establishments and protecting the natural and built environment.

A reference copy of the adopted Core Strategy + Proposals Map can be viewed at North Norfolk Libraries or the District Council's area offices at Cromer and Fakenham. The Core Strategy can be download free of charge or a paper copy may be purchased for £10.00 (inclusive of postage). The Proposals Map and accompanying Inset maps can be downloaded free of charge. Paper copies of maps are available on request (chargeable). Please contact us on 01263 516318 to discuss your requirements.

If you wish to find out more about the Core Strategy preparation process, and the Local Development Framework, please visit our LDF website.

Core Strategy Update: Conversion & Re-use of Rural Buildings as Dwellings (Policy HO9)
The conversion & re-use of barns and other rural buildings is a contentious issue. In 2008 the Inspector examining the Core Strategy rejected the newly proposed policy (Policy H09) and instead saved the existing Local Plan policy (Policy 29: Re-use and Adaptation of Buildings in the Countryside). In his report he stated that the Council should review this policy at an early date. The Council prepared a draft replacement Core Stategy Policy HO9 which was published for Public Consultation from 2 October to 13 November 2009. The Policy was approved by an independent planning inspector on 1 December 2010 and was formally adopted by the Council on 23 February 2011.

• Policy HO9 Conversion & Re-use of Rural Buildings as Dwellings
• Policy HO9 Conversion & Re-use of Rural Buildings as Dwellings - Proposals Map
• Sustainability Appraisal
• Inspectors Report
• Adoption Statement (Published: Eastern Daily Press, Fakenham & Wells Times, North Norfolk News)

More details on the preparation of Policy HO9 can be found on the Local Development Framework website.

Proposals Map
A series of maps are available which should be read in conjunction with the Core Strategy document. The Proposals Map shows geographically where the policies in the Core Strategy apply. The maps consist of a Proposals Map covering the whole district, a map key and 24 separate inset maps covering in greater detail the Principal, Secondary, Service Village and Coastal Service Village settlements. An additional map has recently been added showing the areas relating to the new Core Strategy Policy HO9, Conversion & Re-use of Rural Buildings as Dwellings.

These maps are available to view or download and paper copies are available on request. See Proposals Maps.