About Planning

Planning Policy pages include the adopted Local Plan information, as well as the emerging Local Development Framework, which will replace it.
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Planning Related Weblinks page lists other useful websites.
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What is Planning?

Planning, or Town and Country Planning to use its full name, is the system we have for managing changes to our environment. Through planning we can identify what changes we need to make; new homes, places to work, transport and community facilities etc; and where these should be located. These changes could be new development or just alternative uses for land.

Planning seeks to ensure that we balance our need for new development with conserving what we value about our environment such as green spaces, wildlife, historic buildings and places etc.

Planning can make positive changes to our environment and communities. It can create desirable places to live, work, visit and enjoy; it can also help ensure that the places we treasure are protected and enhanced.

Planning is about our future. It aims to balance the current needs of society against the needs of our children and future generations. This is referred to generally as sustainable development.

Our system of planning is an important part of our democracy. It can help reconcile the views held by different groups, over development. It also provides opportunities for people to have their say about the future of their neighbourhoods, communities and areas.

The system hinges upon policies that seek to determine the future pattern of development and land use. Plans containing these policies are set by the regional planning body - The East of England Regional Authority and by the local District Council, in accordance with policies of national government. The outcome of decisions on planning applications is determined by the policies in these 'Development' plans. These plans therefore influence investment decisions of developers, businesses, householders etc. Development Plans are prepared with the full involvement of people who are likely to be affected by them.

Planning Terms

The Planning Portal Glossary of Planning Terms explains many Planning Terms. The following explain Planning Terms in the context of North Norfolk Planning:
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• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
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• Conservation Areas - Our web page has a useful downloadable brochure 'General Guide to Conservation areas in North Norfolk' with details about what it means to live, work or develop in a conservation area. Another document lists conservation areas in North Norfolk.
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• Contaminated Land - There is a section at the foot of our Environmental Health web page with information about contaminated land and planning.
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• Flood Risk - See this Environment Agency web page on Development and Flood Risk.
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  Listed Buildings - See our Listed Buildings web page, especially the downloadable brochure 'Listed Building Guidance for Owners and Occupiers'.
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• Listed Building Consent - is the consent needed to do works to a listed building. This is applied for through the local authority and is only one of a number of permissions which may be required for any works.
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• Permitted Development Rights and Article 3 and 4 Directions
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• Sites of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSIs as they are usually known, are areas of land which English Nature has deemed to be of special interest by reason of their flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features. These sites are notified under Sections 28 or 29 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Previously, these sites were notified under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. A list of North Norfolk SSSIs is available in our Local Plan documents.
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• Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) - see our Trees and Countryside page for more information.
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