Planning permission in Northumberland National Park

We don't yet have enough recent decisions in Northumberland National Park to show a reliable approval rate. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Across all application types, 94.6% of 314 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Northumberland National Park's public planning register. Data last updated: 28 May 2026.

367Total applications
314Decided
94.6%Approval rate (of decided)
297 Approved+17 Refused+26 Withdrawn+12 Pending+15 Outcome not determined=367 Total
Reports for Northumberland National Park are coming soon.

We are not yet generating property reports for Northumberland National Park. You can still look up an address to see its planning constraints (conservation area, listed building, Article 4 direction, flood zone), and leave your email to hear when Northumberland National Park reports go live.

By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Outline Planning 74 70 4
94.6%
Discharging planning conditions 54 52 2
96.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 30 26 4
86.7%
Heritage 22 21 1
95.5%
Full planning applications 21 19 2
90.5%
Other* 113 109 4 mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Other (17), Tree works in a conservation area (13), Phone masts and telecoms (8), Miscellaneous (5), Prior approval (permitted development) (3), Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) (3), Advertisement Consent (3), County Council Development (2), Electricity Determination (2), Changing a planning condition (S73) (1), Demolition (1), Protected tree works (TPO) (1), Listed Building Consent (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 9 9 sample too small
Q4 2023 26 25
96.2%
Q1 2024 25 24
96.0%
Q2 2024 24 24
100.0%
Q3 2024 33 32
97.0%
Q4 2024 23 22
95.7%
Q1 2025 19 19 sample too small
Q2 2025 20 19
95.0%
Q3 2025 25 24
96.0%
Q4 2025 24 22
91.7%
Q1 2026 20 17
85.0%
Q2 2026 17 15 sample too small
By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 6 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 91.9% in Rothbury ED to 97.6% in Haydon and Hadrian ED, a gap of 5.7 percentage points.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Bellingham ED 92 86 6
93.5%
Rothbury ED 74 68 6
91.9%
Haydon and Hadrian ED 42 41 1
97.6%
Wooler ED 39 38 1
97.4%
Humshaugh ED 16 16 0 sample too small
Amble West With Warkworth 6 6 0 sample too small
Bamburgh 4 4 0 sample too small
Shilbottle 4 4 0 sample too small
Bywell 3 3 0 sample too small
Haltwhistle 2 2 0 sample too small
Ponteland West 2 2 0 sample too small
Kitty Brewster 2 2 0 sample too small
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Northumberland National Park?
Across all application types, 94.6% of 314 applications decided in Northumberland National Park since January 2023 were approved.
Do I need planning permission in Northumberland National Park?
It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.
Do I need a planning consultant in Northumberland National Park?
Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.
Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

Reports for Northumberland National Park are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.