looking down single land street with rural houses on left and right, fell in backdrop

Planning policy

Home Planning Planning policy

Our local planning policies are the starting point to determine all planning applications for proposed development within the National Park.

Our local planning policies are the starting point to determine all planning applications for proposed development within the National Park. Along with the policies in our Local Plan, other aspects that need to be taken into account include national planning policy and guidance, Neighbourhood Plans, Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) and material planning considerations.

misty landscape view of borrowdale valley, backdrop fells, foreground autumnal woodland and keswick town

Local Plan

Adopted in May 2021, the Local Plan 2020 to 2035 sets out the strategy for all new development in the Lake District. There are 29 Policies under the Local Plan, our policies map and glossary.

View the Local Plan

two slate and white village houses with solar panels and wooden windows behind a dry stone wall and green field

Design Code

Our Design Code is a Supplementary Planning Document that sets out a number of design specifications for new developments in a simple, concise and illustrated way that is specific to an area. The code will help deliver more beautiful and sustainable places that function well in terms of accessibility, energy efficiency, biodiversity and carbon neutrality, and provide guidance to homeowners, developers and the local community about what constitutes good design.

Explore the Design Code

high view of white walled and grey slate roof houses in hawkshead village

Neighbourhood Plans

Neighbourhood Plans are a new way of helping local communities to influence the planning of the area in which they live and work. Find information on each of the plans underway in the Lake District National Park on our Neighbour Plans page.

Learn about Neighbourhood plans