Natural England (NE) together with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUCH) announced on 16 March 2022 that the entire administrative area of Darlington Borough Council is now located within the catchment area of the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area (SPA).
Under the Habitats Regulations, those planning authorities falling within the catchment area must carefully consider the nutrients impacts of any projects, including new development proposals, on habitat sites and whether those impacts may have an adverse effect on the integrity of the site that requires mitigation.
This is a Central Government requirement over which Darlington Borough Council as Local Planning Authority has no control, other than ensure that it’s requirements are met and are treated as a material considerations.
This matter will need to be considered as part of the application process before a decision can be made.
Following a Government Statement made on 20 July 2022, Natural England have issued further advice:
By Administrator at 22 Jul 2022
Consultation on the Greater Faverdale (Burtree Garden Village) Draft Design Code SPD will run until Friday 6 May 2022.
The design code is required as part of the recently adopted Darlington Local Plan 2016-2036 and reflects the requirements in government guidance.
It sets out a design process and design principles for developers to follow when preparing their plans for a new Garden Village.
Further information can be seen at the Greater Faverdale (Burtree Garden Village) Draft Design Code SPD page.
By Planning Policy at 7 Apr 2022
At the Council meeting on 17 February 2022 Darlington Borough Council adopted the Darlington Borough Local Plan (2016-2036) [pdf document, 44mb].
The Darlington Borough Local Plan (2016-2036) now carries full weight in the consideration of planning applications and replaces the ‘saved’ policies of the Borough of Darlington Local Plan 1997 (updated 2001) and the Darlington Core Strategy (2011).
By Planning Policy Team at 18 Feb 2022
The appointed Planning Inspector, Mr William Fieldhouse BA (Hons) MA MRTPI has concluded that with the recommended main modifications (consulted on between 19 October and 30 November 2021), the Darlington Local Plan 2016-2036 is sound and compliant with the legal requirements. Please visit the Local Plan Examination page for more details.
By Planning Policy Team at 1 Feb 2022