Harrogate local planning guidance and supplementary planning documents

Please be aware that some documents hold more weight than others, so make sure you check to see which ones apply to your application.

Supplementary planning documents (SPD):

SPDs provide additional information about how policies contained within development plan documents (DPDs), can be taken forward. SPDs do not have to undergo independent examination, but we must consult on the content of any SPD before it can be adopted and used as a material consideration in the determination of a planning application.

• affordable housing SPD
• rural workers dwellings SPD
• air quality SPD
• providing net gain for biodiversity SPD
• provision of open space and village halls SPD
• draft Harrogate town centre and masterplan
• green infrastructure SPD
• heritage management guidance SPD
• renewable and low carbon energy SPD
• guideline for equestrian development in the AONB (SPD) - published 2007
• house extensions and garages design guide (SPD) - published 2005
• protecting dark skies in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty SPD

Supplementary planning guidance (SPG):

SPGs often cover general themes such as landscape, biodiversity and in some cases, they may include site-specific guidance. SPGs also undergo consultation, so carry the same weight as SPDs.

• landscape character assessment (LCA)
• landscape design guide published 1999
• Harrogate biodiversity action plan (BAP)
• biodiversity design guide published 1999
• residential design guide published 1999
• shop fronts design guide published 2019
• Harrogate district telecommunications strategy published 1999 supplements the provisions of Policy CF10 to the Harrogate district local plan 2001
• Station Parade, Harrogate: Development brief published 2005 (SPG). This document is compiled and includes a summary of comments on its draft

Other planning guidance (OPG) and guidance notes:

•  landscape design guide 2023 (pdf / 5 MB)
• West Harrogate Parameters Plan
• policy on developer contributions to education facilities details the requirements for new housing developments of 25 or more units (net) to pay for new primary school classrooms where there is insufficient capacity. Prepared in conjunction with North Yorkshire County Council (as the local education authority)
• guide to Policy CFX published 2004 guidelines on this policy of the selective alteration to the Harrogate district local plan which seeks to protect community facilities in relation to new planning applications
• sustainable construction and design: guidance note
• conservation area appraisals; see also article 4 directions page
•  farm buildings design guide (pdf / 6 MB)
• countryside hedgerows: guidance note
• listed buildings
• historic battlefields
• scheduled ancients monuments
• historic parks and gardens
•  developers guidance for land affected by contamination (pdf / 1 MB) is provided by the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Pollution Advisory Group (YALPAG) which we have adopted. Associated guidance is available for cover systems. Contamination assessment:  screening assessment form (docx / 39 KB)
• safer places: the planning system and crime prevention  - published by Department for Communities and Local Government
•  verification requirements for cover systems (pdf / 1 MB)
•  verification requirements for gas protection systems (pdf / 4 MB)

Village design statements (VDS)

VDS are community-prepared documents, which provide guidance to developers and individuals to help encourage design that will enhance and protect the individual character of the village.

•  Bilton in Ainsty with Bickerton VDS 2019 (pdf / 19 MB)
•  Darley VDS 2003 (pdf / 2 MB)
•  Kirkby Malzeard VDS 2003 (pdf / 1016 KB)
•  Ripley VDS 2004 (pdf / 1 MB)
•  Marton cum Grafton VDS (pdf / 929 KB): approved by the Cabinet Member (planning, transport and economic development) on 2 November 2011 as supplementary planning guidance subject to minor changes, that is amending text from 'SPD' to 'SPG' and including a replacement Appendix 1 to include up to date local planning policies. This should be read in conjunction with the council's own Marton cum Grafton conservation area appraisal also approved on 2 November 2011. For more information please visit the conservation areas page

Conservation and design guidance notes

A set of guidance notes have been created to give additional guidance on aspects of the historic environment; both to provide general information and to give specific guidance on subject areas. The guidance should be taken into account when formulating proposals for development or alterations to heritage assets. The guidance notes are not adopted and therefore do not carry as much weight as supplementary planning documents or supplementary planning guidance.