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Emerging Local Plan

Follow the latest news associated with the local plan examination here as the examination progresses.

All the examination documentation can be found in the Examination Library, which will also be updated throughout the course of the examination. 

Latest news (please select the + symbol to expand the section)

22 April 2026 - Public consultation on Proposed Main Modifications to the new Great Yarmouth Local Plan closes

Public consultation on proposed Main Modifications to the new Great Yarmouth Local Plan and accompanying documents closed at 17:00 on 22 April 2026. Following the close of the public hearing the Inspectors wrote to the Council advising that 'Main Modifications' will be required to the Plan in order for it to be found sound. Comments were invited on these Main Modifications alongside other potential minor changes to the Plan and the Policies Map. Comments were also invited on a revised Sustainability Appraisal and a Habitat Regulations Assessment on the Main Modifications. All comments will now be sent to the Inspectors via the programme officer. 

5 March 2026 - Public consultation on Proposed Main Modifications to the new Great Yarmouth Local Plan opens

Following the close of the public hearing, the Inspectors advised that 'Main Modifications' are required for the Plan to be found sound. The Council is therefore inviting comments on the proposed Main Modifications, along with additional minor changes, updates to the Policies Map, a revised Sustainability Appraisal, and a Habitats Regulations Assessment. The consultation will run for seven weeks between 5 March 2026 until 17:00 on 22 April 2026.

16 December 2025 - Publication of the Inspector's Post-hearing letter

The Council has published the Inspector's post-hearings letter (Document E21 - Great Yarmouth LP Examination - Post Hearing Letter - December 2025 (PDF, 205 KB)) to the examination library.

11 December 2025 - Publication of other technical notes

The Council has published; the technical note on maritime heritage in relation to Policies URB4 and URB10 (Action 25)(Document H79 - Note on maritime heritage in relation in Policies URB4 and URB10 (PDF, 22 KB)); technical note of gypsy and traveller needs and supply (Action 10)(Document H80 - Technical Note on Gypsy and Traveller Needs and Supply (PDF, 82 KB)); technical note on Policies HEM1 and CLC5 marketing requirements (Action 140 & 200)(Document H81 - Technical Note on Policies HEM1 and CLC5 (PDF, 43 KB)); Infrastructure Funding Note (Action 69 & 86)(Document H82 - Infrastructure Funding Note (PDF, 249 KB)); and a technical note on SEND provision on allocation CAS2, Caister (Action 65)(Document H83 - Note on Special Educational Needs School provision on Land East of Ormesby Road, Caister-on-Sea (PDF, 27 KB)) in the Examination Library. The Action List (Document H60 (PDF, 431 KB)(opens new window)) has also been updated to reflect these publications.

4 December 2025 - Publication of technical notes

The Council has published; the technical note on consultation (Action 6)(Document H69 - Technical Note on Public Consultation (PDF, 266 KB)); the technical note land at Beccles Road, Bradwell (Action 26)(Document H70 - Technical Note on Land at Beccles Road, Bradwell (Policy URB26) (PDF, 229 KB)); the technical note on potential south-west Gorleston Area Indicative Masterplan (Action 37)(Document H71 - Technical Note on potential South-west Gorleston Area Indicative Masterplan (PDF, 174 KB)); the technical note on Local Plan Strategy Transport Modelling (Action 44)(Document H72 - Technical Note on Local Plan Strategic Transport Modelling (PDF, 273 KB); the technical note on requirements for LVIA and/or LVA (Action 79)(Document H73 - Technical Note on requirements for LVIA and/or LVA (PDF, 183 KB)); the technical note on current and future investment proposals within the urban area (Action 148)(Document H74 - Technical Note on current and future investment proposals within the Urban Area (PDF, 220 KB)); The technical note on business relocation from South Denes Port and Harbour area (Action 159)(Document H75 - Technical Note on Business Relocation from South Denes Port and Harbour area (PDF, 241 KB)); the technical note on Filby, Rollesby and Winterton-on-Sea windfall consents (Action 160)(Document H76 - Technical Note on Filby, Rollesby and Winterton-on-Sea Windfall Consents (PDF, 268 KB)); the technical note on meeting small site requirements (Action 166)(Document H77 - Technical Note on meeting Small Site Requirements (PDF, 349 KB)) and The technical note on Conservation Appraisals and Management Plans (Action 244)(Document H78 - Technical Note on Conservation Appraisals and Management Plans (PDF, 160 KB)) to the Examination Library.  The Action list (Document H60 (PDF, 431 KB)(opens new window)) has been updated to reflect these publications. 

1 December 2025

The Council has published Badger Building's response to Document H59 - Note on Viability Matters (PDF, 199 KB) to the examination library.

25 November 2025

The Council has published the technical note on Policy URB25 (Action 48) (Document H65 - Technical Note on Policy URB25 (PDF, 547 KB)(opens new window)), a note on Design Code Viability Testing (Action 239) (Document H66 - Note on Design Code Viability Testing (PDF, 417 KB)(opens new window)) and a note on employment land supply (Action 15) (Document H67 - Note on Employment Land Supply (PDF, 420 KB)(opens new window)). The Action list (Document H60 (PDF, 431 KB)(opens new window)) has been updated to reflect these publications. 

20 November 2025

The Council has published the technical note on further housing supply matters (Document H62) (PDF, 267 KB)(opens new window) (Action 170), a further update to the Local Plan Housing Trajectory (2024-2042) (Document H63) (Microsoft Excel, 61 KB) and a technical note on Policy URB10 (Document H64 (PDF, 175 KB)) (Action 31). The Council has also republished the Sustainability Appraisal note on Policy OSS1 and reasonable alternative options to include an appendix outlining a reassessment of Option OSS1h against other options. The Action list (Document H60 (PDF, 431 KB)(opens new window)) has been updated to reflect these publications. 

17 November 2025 - Examination hearing action list

Following the publication of the Local Plan Examination hearing action list on 13 November 2025 (Document H60 (PDF, 431 KB)), the Borough Council will regularly update Document H60 (PDF, 431 KB) (as a live document) to include the examination library document reference upon publication of notes and other matters pertaining to the relevant actions. The Council will publish the date of response/publication of relevant material within any updated action list. 

13 November 2025

Following the conclusion of the examination hearing sessions on 6 November 2025, the Council has published a list of actions (Document H60 (PDF, 431 KB)) arising from the sessions. The Council has also now published a note on viability matters (Document H59 (PDF, 188 KB)) pursuant to action 20 on the action list and the East Anglian Way Appeal decision (Document H61 (PDF, 8 MB)) pursuant to action 47 on the action list.

31 October 2025

The Council has published the Housing Supply Technical Note (PDF, 470 KB) (Document H57) and Local Plan Housing Trajectory Update (2024 - 2042) (Microsoft Excel, 55 KB) (Document H58) into the Examination Library. Both documents will be reviewed as part of the Council's evidence base on Housing Supply (Matter 6), to be discussed on Day 8 of the Local Plan Examination Hearings.

29 October 2025

The Council has published the recordings of the two additional virtual Local Plan examination hearings session that took place on Monday 20 October 2025. The recordings are available to view in Section H of the Examination Library as follows:

22 October 2025 - Hearing Day Agendas

The Inspectors' have provided agendas for the hearing sessions taking place between day 8 (Tuesday 4 November 2025) and day 10 (Thursday 6 November 2025). The agendas provide more detail as to which matters will be discussed and include references to the specific questions and note the participants likely to be speaking.

The documents are available to view in Section E of the Examination Library as follows:

17 October 2025

The Inspectors have decided that an additional virtual hearing session is required to allow remaining questions to be discussed in relation to Matter 3: Strategy for the Urban Area of Great Yarmouth. This is necessary due to time constraints encountered on Day 2 of the Examination hearing session. The additional virtual hearing session will be held via a Teams meeting on Monday 20 October 2025, and will follow the virtual hearing session scheduled on the same day to discuss HEM1 and HEM2. This hearing session will be a structured discussion around questions 50-53, 55, 57, 60, 64-65, 68, 72-76, 96-98, 103 and 132 of their Matters, Issues and Questions, and conducted in accordance with the Document E15 - Inspector's Virtual Hearings Guidance Note (PDF, 127 KB)(opens new window). The Council has published an Agenda for this virtual hearing session (Document E17 – Examination Hearing – Agenda for Great Yarmouth URB Policies (PDF, 151 KB)) into the Examination Library. Please review our privacy notice related to these virtual hearing sessions.

The Council has also published a Revised Populated Hearing Programme (Document E7) (PDF, 187 KB) in the Examination Library.

13 October 2025

The Inspectors have decided to discuss HEM1 and HEM2 via a Teams meeting to be held at 10am on Monday 20 October 2025. The hearing session will be a structured discussion around questions 163-170 of their Matters, Issues and Questions. The Council has published a revised Agenda for Day 4 of the Examination hearing sessions (Document E14 - Examination Hearing - Day 4 Agenda (Revised) (PDF, 150 KB)(opens new window)), a virtual hearings guidance note (Document E15 - Inspector's Virtual Hearings Guidance Note (PDF, 127 KB)(opens new window)) and an agenda for the virtual hearing session (Document E16 - Examination Hearing - Agenda for Hemsby (PDF, 17 KB)(opens new window)) into the Examination Library. Please review our privacy notice related to these virtual hearing sessions.

02 October 2025

Publication of the Version 2 Schedules of suggested Main and Additional modifications to the Great Yarmouth Local Plan and schedule of suggested Policies Map Changes to the Great Yarmouth Local Plan.

The Council has published Version 2 of the Schedules of suggested Main Modifications (PDF, 646 KB) (Document G33) and suggested Additional Modifications (PDF, 1 MB) (Document G34) to the Great Yarmouth Local Plan, as well as a Version 2 schedule of suggested Policies Map Changes to the Great Yarmouth Local Plan (PDF, 987 KB) (Document G35) into the Examination Library.

29 September 2025 - Hearing Day Agendas

The Inspectors' have provided agendas for the hearing sessions taking place between day 1 (Tuesday 7 October 2025) and day 6 (Thursday 16 October 2025). The agendas provide more detail as to which matters will be discussed and include references to the specific questions and note the participants likely to be speaking.

The documents are available to view in Section E of the Examination Library as follows:

26 September 2025 - Hearing Statements 

Hearing Statements by participants regarding Matters 1 - 15, in response to the Inspectors' Matters, Issues  and Questions for the Examination (MIQs) (PDF, 487 KB) (Document E4), are now available to view in Section H of the Examination Library.

23 September 2025 - Publication of Populated Hearing Programme

The Inspectors' have provided a Populated Hearing Programme (PDF, 174 KB) (Document E7) which sets out which participants will be attending each hearing session.

18 September 2025

The Council has published the Final Statement of Common Ground with the Broads Authority (PDF, 381 KB) (Document G31) into the Examination Library. The Council has also published a review of the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy (PDF, 133 KB) (Document G32) which updates the Council's evidence base for playing pitches.

26 August 2025

The Council has published a Notice of Independent Examination Hearing (PDF, 182 KB) setting out who will be holding the hearing, as well as when (at least six weeks) and where the hearing sessions will be held. The notice is available above as well as in the Examination Library (Document G30). 

The Inspectors have published the following which are also available in the Examination Library: 

These documents set out the key matters for consideration at the Examination Hearing, provide a timetable for the hearing sessions, and provide guidance for the hearing process. 

19 August 2025

The Council has published version 1 of the Schedules of suggested Main Modifications (Document G27) and suggested Additional Modifications (Document G28) to the Great Yarmouth Local Plan, as well as a schedule of suggested Policies Map Changes to the Great Yarmouth Local Plan (Document G29) into the Examination Library. The Council has also added zip files to Appendix C of Document G5 (Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment) to allow all PDF's to be downloaded in support of the GEOPDF functionality and has added a note accompanying Document G19 to advise that the Memorandum of Understanding under Footnote 42 of the document has been superseded.

19 August 2025

The Council has published the Final Statement of Common Ground with Persimmon Homes (Anglia) (Document G24) and Statement of Common Ground with Norfolk County Council (Document G25) into the Examination Library. Norfolk County Council introduced a new contribution in 2024 which considers home to school transport obligations. As a result, Great Yarmouth Borough Council has produced an addendum to the Infrastructure Needs Study to assess potential transport contributions that may arise as a result of development which has been published as Document G26 into the Examination Library. 

14 August 2025

The Council has published the Final Statement of Common Ground with Natural England (Document G22) into the Examination Library. Through the SoCG process with Natural England, and by agreeing the scope of the methodology with them, the Borough Council have also published a Local Plan Habitats Regulations Assessment Addendum on Air Quality (Document G23) into the Examination Library to address concerns regarding air quality in relation to designated sites.

07 August 2025

The Council has published the Final Statement of Common Ground with the Environment Agency (Document G20) into the Examination Library. The Council agreed with the Environment Agency to prepare an addendum to the Infrastructure Needs study to address water utilities concerns. This addendum has been published as Document G21 into the Examination Library. The Council has also republished Appendix B of the Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Document G5) following comments from the Environment Agency that prompted corrections to flood level data and the addition of a caveat on elevation accuracy, resulting in updated SFRA site summary tables.

06 August 2025

The Council has published the Final (unsigned) version of the Norfolk Strategic Planning Framework (2025) (Document G19) into the Examination Library. The latest version of the framework provides a structure for coordination and tackling cross-boundary planning issues across Norfolk. It includes a Statement of Common Ground setting out 27 agreements between the Norfolk Local Planning Authorities and other partners on topics including housing, economic growth, infrastructure and the environment.

30 June 2025 - Publication of further recently adopted plans and evidence

The Council has published the following plans and evidence into the Examination Library:

  • Document G14 - Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan (2025) [adoption version]
  • Document G15 - [Norfolk County Council] Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2023 - 2038 (2025) [adoption version]
  • Document G16 -  [Great Yarmouth Borough Council] Housing Strategy (2025)
  • Document G17 - Great Yarmouth Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) (2022)

16 June 2025 - Publication of Sustainability Appraisal Addendum Note

The Council has published an Addendum Note to the Sustainability Appraisal of the emerging Great Yarmouth Local Plan. This is available to view under Document G18 of the Examination Library. This addendum note to the Sustainability Appraisal clarifies how cumulative effects have been considered in relation to cross-boundary matters.

13 June 2025 - Council's response to Inspectors' clarification questions 

Following the Council's response to the Inspectors' initial questions, the Council received further clarification questions from the Inspectors on 13 May 2025. These questions are available to view under Document E3 (PDF, 100 KB)(opens new window) of the Examination Library. The Council responded to the this questions on 23 May 2025. The Council's response to the Inspectors' clarification questions can be viewed under Document F2 (PDF, 341 KB)(opens new window) of the Examination Library. In support of this response, the Council has also published the following documents which are also available to view in the Examination Library: 

9 May 2025 - Council's response to Inspectors' Initial Questions

The Council has published its response to the Inspectors' Initial Questions. This is available to view under Document F1 of the Examination Library. In support of this response, the Council has also published the following documents which are also available to view in the Examination Library:

  • Document G4 - Council's response to representations in plan order
  • Document G5 - Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
  • Document G6 - Equalities Impact Assessment Screening Opinion (Updated April 2025)
  • Document G7 - Annual Monitoring Report 2023-2024
  • Document G8 - Anglian Water - Water Resources Management Plan (2024)
  • Document G9 - Essex and Suffolk Water - Water Resources Management Plan (2024)

14 April 2025 - Superseded Habitat Regulations Assessment

Following an initial review of the Habitat Regulations Assessment, the Inspectors noted various references to the Regulation 18 (draft Local Plan). The Council has confirmed that these were factual errors and should have referred to the Regulation 19 pre-submission Local Plan. Document A4 of the Examination Library has therefore been superseded by Document G3 (found in Section G of the Examination Library), as this version of the Habitat Regulations Assessment has corrected those errors. 

10 April 2025 - Inspectors' Initial Questions

On 10 April 2025, a letter was received from the Planning Inspectorate setting out the Inspectors' Initial Questions for the Council to consider and respond to. The letter is available to view in Section E (see Document E2) of the Examination Library.

19 March 2025 - Appointment of Inspectors

On 19 March 2025, a letter was received from the Planning Inspectorate appointing two Inspectors to examine the Great Yarmouth Local Plan. The appointment letter is available to view in Section E of the Examination Library.

24 February 2025 - Submission of Local Plan 

On 24 February 2025, the Council submitted the Local Plan to the Secretary of State to be independently examined. The submission documents are available to view in Section A of the Examination Library.

End of latest news section

Main Modifications Consultation

Public consultation on proposed Main Modifications to the new Great Yarmouth Local Plan and accompanying documents is now closed. Following the close of the public hearing the Inspectors wrote to the Council advising that 'Main Modifications' will be required to the Plan in order for it to be found sound. Comments were invited on these Main Modifications alongside other potential minor changes to the Plan and the Policies Map. Comments were also invited on a revised Sustainability Appraisal and a Habitat Regulations Assessment on the Main Modifications. 

Representations were invited on the following documents:

Examination of Great Yarmouth Local Plan 

The emerging Great Yarmouth Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for examination on 24 February 2025 under Regulation 22 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended). This new Local Plan upon adoption will replace the Current Local Plan formed of the Core Strategy and the Local Plan Part 2.  

The new Local Plan is presented as a single document which includes a strategy for development, including identifying needs for housing and economic development over the period to 2041. The plan also identifies land for development and other site-specific policies, as well as detailed policies to help determine planning applications. 

All examination documentation can be found in the Examination Library and the latest news associated with the examination is detailed above. The prescribed 'Submission Documents' will also be available for inspection at Great Yarmouth Town Hall and local libraries (during usual opening hours) as set out in the Statement of Fact (PDF, 154 KB).

On 26 August 2025, the Council provided a six week Notice for the commencement of the Examination Hearing under Regulation 24. The examination hearing sessions concluded on Thursday 6 November. 

Examination Hearing

Local Plan Examination Hearing sessions took place on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 7 October 2025 to Thursday 9 October 2025
  • Tuesday 14 October 2025 to Thursday 16 October 2025
  • Monday 20 October 2025 (virtual session)
  • Tuesday 4 November 2025 to Thursday 6 November 2025

Planning Inspector  

Two independent Inspectors have been appointed by the Planning Inspectorate, M. Hayden BSc (Hons), Dip TP, MRTPI and J. Burston BSc MA MRTPI, to examine the Local Plan and its supporting evidence to decide whether it meets the soundness and legal compliance tests. Contact with the Inspectors will be provided via the Programme Officer.

Programme Officer

Mrs Annette Feeney has been appointed as 'Programme Officer' for the examination of the Great Yarmouth Local Plan. The programme officer provides the main link between the Planning Inspector, Borough Council and participants. The main roles of the programme officer are 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 the Borough Council and reports directly to the appointed examination inspector. 

Programme Officer contact details 

Name: Mrs Annette Feeney

Email: [email protected]  

Phone: 07775 771026

Post: c/o Strategic Planning, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Hall, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2QF

Examination key stages & timeline 

The following timeline sets out the key stages of the examination processes and these will be updated through the course of the examination. 

  • Local Plan submission - 24 February 2025
  • Inspector appointments - 19 March 2025
  • Inspectors' initial letters and questions - received 10 April 2025
  • LPA's responses to Inspector - 9 May 2025
  • Inspector's matters, issues & questions - 26 August 2025
  • Hearing sessions - 7 October 2025 - 6 November 2025
  • Inspectors post-hearings letter - 16 December 2025
  • Modifications consultation - 05 March 2026 - 22 April 2026

Further information 

What is a local plan examination? 

Once a Local Planning Authority (LPA), such as the Borough Council, has finished preparing and consulting on a local plan this must be submitted to the Secretary of State (central government) who will appoint an Inspector through the Planning Inspectorate to carry out an independent examination.  

The examination will assess whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements, and consider if the plan is 'sound'. There are four tests of 'soundness' which are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework. In summary, these consider whether the plan: 

  • has been positively prepared to meet objectively assessed needs,  
  • is justified by proportionate evidence,   
  • is effective, being deliverable, and based upon effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters, and 
  • consistent with national planning policy.

The Inspector will consider the evidence provided by the LPA to support the plan and any representations (comments) which have been submitted by local people and other interested parties through the Regulation 19 pre-submission publication stage and over the course of the examination. 

At the end of the examination the Inspector will send a report to the LPA recommending whether or not they can adopt the plan. In most cases the report will recommend some changes that are necessary to meet the tests of soundness and to allow the plan to be adopted. These changes are known as 'main modifications'. 

In carrying out the examination, the Inspector will be conscious of the benefits of having a robust and up to date plan adopted as quickly as possible and will apply the principles of openness, fairness and impartiality. 

Further guidance on the local plan examination process is available on the Local Plans: the examination process webpage. In addition, the Planning Inspectorate has provided a Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations, and a short guide aimed at those participating in a local plan examination for the first time. 

What about the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy? 

The council has also submitted its Community Infrastructure Levy Draft Charging Schedule for independent examination. Details can be viewed on the Community Infrastructure Levy webpage. 

Local Plan Examination library

Examination library for the emerging Great Yarmouth Local Plan