Planning

As of 6 August 2026, a number of important amendments to the mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) regime have been brought into effect in England. These changes, introduced through the Biodiversity Gain (Town and Country Planning) (Amendments and Transitional Provisions) (England) Regulations 2026, are intended to reduce the administrative burden for the smallest developments while ensuring that important habitats continue to receive appropriate protection.

The following changes took effect on 6^th August:

• introduction of a new 0.2 hectare exemption, which means that the smallest developments will not be required to provide mandatory BNG (unless onsite priority habitat is negatively impacted)

• introduction of a new temporary development exemption, for land which is to be reinstated within a period of 5 years or less (unless onsite priority habitat is negatively impacted)

• modification of the biodiversity gain hierarchy for minor development, meaning that minor sites which aren’t exempt from BNG (e.g. over 0.2 hectares) can choose to go straight to offsite provision in the first instance

• removal of the existing exemption for self and custom build development

It should be noted that the changes only apply to new applications for planning permission made from 6 August onwards. Planning applications submitted before this date will continue to be subject to previous BNG legislation in place before this date.

A new Yorkshire Dales Local Plan (2025-2040) has now been adopted and will carry full weight in the consideration of planning applications. The Local Plan is used to guide decisions on new development – setting out where homes, businesses and infrastructure should go, and how the National Park will be protected and enhanced over time. The new Local Plan for 2025–2040 sets out a clear approach for supporting local communities whilst also protecting the special qualities of the National Park.

One of the most significant changes is a new requirement that new homes must be lived in as a ‘principal residence’, meaning they have to be lived in and cannot be turned into second homes or holiday lets. This means new developments will directly support local people – particularly younger households and working families – who want to live and work in the National Park. The Plan also:

• provides capacity to meet local housing needs by allocating land for nearly 400 new homes, with a strong focus on affordable housing, and allows small-scale housing development in around 100 villages to help meet local needs.
• supports the rural economy, by backing farm diversification, rural businesses and sustainable tourism that benefits local communities.
• promotes growth that will protect the National Park, such as low-carbon energy, better walking and cycling routes, and stronger safeguards for landscapes, wildlife and dark skies.

Here’s a link to the new Local Plan

To complement the new Yorkshire Dales Local Plan (2025-2040), a new Yorkshire Dales Design Guide (June 2026) has been adopted, updating the previous version of the Design Guide to reflect changes in planning policy and new priorities for nature and climate.

The Design Guide provides advice for residents, businesses, farmers and developers on how to design development proposals that will meet the aims of the Local Plan.

The new Guide focusses on the main types of development in the National Park – new housing, conversions and extensions; as well as farm, business and tourism development. It gives detailed information on landscape planting, planning for nature, dark skies and incorporating renewable energy. Here is the new version of the Yorkshire Dales Design Guide

Fred Olsen Renewables Ltd is developing proposals for Hope Moor Wind Farm, a new onshore wind farm located between Barnard Castle and Richmond, outside of but close to the north-eastern boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. While the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is not responsible for deciding whether this Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) proceeds, we recognise the importance of keeping local communities informed throughout the process. We have therefore created a dedicated webpage that aims to bring together the latest available information, explain the role of the National Park Authority in the NSIP process, highlight the opportunities for public involvement, and provide answers to frequently asked questions: https://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/planning/hope-moor-wind-farm/

National Parks England, representing all 10 of England’s National Parks, has responded to the Government’s proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework. The response can be read here:

NPE National Planning Policy Framework Consultation Response March 2026 (003)

Planning application fees increased from 1 April 2026 as outlined in the document linked to below on the planning portal:

https://ecab.planningportal.co.uk/uploads/english_application_fees.pdf

This is a National increase set by the Government.

Please email planning@yorkshiredales.org.uk if you have any queries.

Advances in the use of AI mean that it can be used to generate content in the form of text, images, videos, audio etc.

If you use AI in producing or altering documents, information or data, either in relation to submitting a planning application, or in commenting on a planning application, you should tell us that you have done this when you provide the material to us. 

Failure to do so may result in delays in dealing with your planning application or your comments and opinions not being understood or properly considered.

If you have used AI please:

• Tell us what systems or tools you have used, the source of the information that the AI system has based its content on, and what information or material the AI has been used to create or alter.

• Clearly label where you have used AI in the body of the content that AI has created or altered, and clearly state that AI has been used in that content in any references to it elsewhere in your documentation.

• Tell us whether any images or video of people, property, objects or places have been created or altered using AI.

• Tell us whether any images or video using AI has changed, augmented, or removed parts of the original image or video, and identify which parts of the image or video has been changed (such as adding or removing buildings or infrastructure within an image). 

• Tell us the date that you used the AI.

• Declare your responsibility for the factual accuracy of the content.

• Declare your use of AI is responsible and lawful. 

• Declare that you have appropriate permissions to disclose and share any personal information and that its use complies with data protection and copyright legislation.    

If you have any questions please contact us : planning@yorkshiredales.org.uk