Local plan examination

Inspector's Report

The Council has received the final report from the Planning Inspectorate following the independent examination of the draft North Norfolk Local Plan.

The Planning Inspector has concluded that the Local Plan is 'sound', subject to the incorporation of a number of main modifications, as set out in an Appendix to the report.

The report, which outlines the Inspector's findings into the examination, also confirms that the Plan meets the necessary legal compliance tests, paving the way for its anticipated formal adoption by the end of 2025.

• Inspector's Report
• Appendix: Schedule of Main Modifications

The examination is now concluded. The Council will consider the contents of the Inspector's Report and is expected to decide on whether to adopt the Local Plan at a future Full Council meeting (date to be confirmed). 

Examination progress

The Local Plan was submitted for examination on 11 May 2023. An independent inspector from the Planning Inspectorate, Mr David Reed BSc DipTP DMS, has reviewed the plan and its supporting evidence against soundness and legal compliance tests.

• Public hearing sessions were held between January and March 2024 to enable discussion in person of the key matters and issues raised by the Inspector at that stage.
• In July 2024, the Inspector published his initial findings about the soundness and legal compliance of the plan. The Inspector identified three main areas of concern, regarding a shortfall in housing provision, the approach to small growth villages as set out in Policy SS1 of the emerging plan, and updating the gypsy and traveller evidence base to reflect the change in definition introduced in December 2023.
• In November 2024, the Council undertook a further consultation on proposed changes to the local plan to address the Inspector's main areas of concern.
• Further public hearing sessions took place in early April 2025 to allow for discussion on the matters and issues which the Inspector identified in relation to the Council's proposed changes to the plan.
• A public consultation on proposed main modifications (and policies map changes), which the Inspector considered are required to make the Plan 'sound', took place during August and September 2025.
• The Inspector's final examination report was received on 31 October 2025 and the examination is now concluded. The Inspector confirmed that the Local Plan is 'sound' and legally compliant, provided that the Main Modifications included with his report are incorporated into the Local Plan.

See the latest news for further details.

Examination library

Visit the examination library to view the submission documents and other evidence relating to the preparation of the plan.

Programme officer

Mrs Annette Feeney was appointed as programme officer to organise and administer the examination, including organisation of the public hearing sessions and dealing with all procedural matters. The programme officer is independent from North Norfolk District Council and reports to the appointed examination inspector.

Contact details

Any questions relating to the North Norfolk local plan examination process should be sent to the programme officer using the following details:

Email

annette.feeney@north-norfolk.gov.uk

Telephone

07775 771026

Post

Annette Feeney
Local Plan Programme Officer
North Norfolk District Council
Holt Road
Cromer
NR27 9EN