Northumberland includes Alnwick, Hexham, and Morpeth. About 14% of the county is Green Belt, shaping urban edges and protecting open countryside. Known for castles, historic villages, and coastline, planning focuses on sensitive residential and commercial development. We can advise and support projects across Northumberland.
In the last year Northumberland decided 1,923 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 89% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 53% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Northumberland performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
The Green Belt is a policy protecting land around many English towns and cities, where development is tightly controlled to safeguard the open countryside.
14.0% of Northumberland is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to high levels of scrutiny.
The Northumberland Green Belt covers upland countryside, historic villages, and farmland near Hexham and Alnwick, areas under significant development pressure.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Northumberland includes areas classed as Open Countryside, generally encompassing land beyond settlements and Green Belt zones, often used for agriculture or left as natural landscapes. Development in these areas is tightly controlled, with standard residential proposals rarely permitted.
Northumberland contains the Cheviot Hills, Northumberland National Park, and extensive coastal plains, all sensitive to development due to their natural and historic value.
One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.
Nutrient Neutrality ensures new developments do not increase harmful nitrogen or phosphorus levels in sensitive waterways. Coastal parts of Northumberland drain to the Lindisfarne SAC/SPA catchment, where nitrogen neutrality applies to new residential development and overnight accommodation in the affected area. Unfortunately, Nutrient Neutrality can halt development completely. If you need early-stage, project-specific advice contact us here.
In addition to acting as Planing Conultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. Our planning proposals are creatively tailored to each site to maximise potential and improve planning outcomes. We use the following tried and tested process to guide clients in Northumberland through planning to completion:
We work collaboratively with clients and shape a design that respects local character and meets Planning Policy requirements in order to maximise your chances of winning Planning Permission.
Northumberland includes Alnwick, Hexham, and Morpeth. About 14% of the county is Green Belt, shaping urban edges and protecting open countryside. Known for castles, historic villages, and coastline, planning focuses on sensitive residential and commercial development. We can advise and support projects across Northumberland.
In the last year Northumberland decided 1,923 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 89% (roughly equal to the national average of 88%) and 53% of applications were decided on time, (significantly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Northumberland performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
The Green Belt is a policy protecting land around many English towns and cities, where development is tightly controlled to safeguard the open countryside.
14.0% of Northumberland is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to high levels of scrutiny.
The Northumberland Green Belt covers upland countryside, historic villages, and farmland near Hexham and Alnwick, areas under significant development pressure.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Northumberland includes areas classed as Open Countryside, generally encompassing land beyond settlements and Green Belt zones, often used for agriculture or left as natural landscapes. Development in these areas is tightly controlled, with standard residential proposals rarely permitted.
Northumberland contains the Cheviot Hills, Northumberland National Park, and extensive coastal plains, all sensitive to development due to their natural and historic value.
One of the top reasons poorly prepared proposals in the Open Countryside are refused is that they fail to demonstrate a policy-supported need. To minimise that risk with bespoke advice contact us here.
Nutrient Neutrality ensures new developments do not increase harmful nitrogen or phosphorus levels in sensitive waterways. Coastal parts of Northumberland drain to the Lindisfarne SAC/SPA catchment, where nitrogen neutrality applies to new residential development and overnight accommodation in the affected area. Unfortunately, Nutrient Neutrality can halt development completely. If you need early-stage, project-specific advice contact us here.
In addition to acting as Planing Conultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. Our planning proposals are creatively tailored to each site to maximise potential and improve planning outcomes. We use the following tried and tested process to guide clients in Northumberland through planning to completion:
We work collaboratively with clients and shape a design that respects local character and meets Planning Policy requirements in order to maximise your chances of winning Planning Permission.
