Housing & Development Update May 2026.

Presentation on behalf of Cllr Gawn on the future impact of UK Housing Development at the Annual Village Meeting 6th May 2026.

Housing Update: What has changed and why it matters:

• Parish Council has met twice with NCC planning officers over last 6 months
• National policy is moving towards higher housing targets
• Northumberland’s Local Plan adopted in 2022 and is now under review
• Government target to build 1.5 million homes
• Northumberland requirement of ~35,000
• Northumberland target rising from 550 to 1,672 homes per year
• Longframlington indicative minimum: 140 homes by 2045 (likely more)

Key focus: influence location, design, infrastructure, and community benefit

Longframlington Impact : What the figures mean locally

• 220 homes completed since April 2016
• 65 houses currently approved but not yet built
• Indicative minimum for 2025–2045: +140 homes (likely more)
• Remaining indicative gap: around 75-100 homes as 65 included in new target
• Past over-delivery does not offset the new requirement
• As a service village, Longframlington likely to face continued growth pressure

Risk increases if:

(1) planning decisions are driven by speculative applications,

(2) no village plan is in place or up to date,

(3) village takes blanket zero development stance Longframlington Parish Council

Wider Regional Pressures: Rail, investment and settlement growth

• Since 2022, regional growth drivers have increased
• Key factors include; rail investment, planning devolution, investment zones, and town-centre funding
• Future policy is likely to favour rail-linked and settlement-edge locations
• National policy also supports infill and suburban densification
• Wider pressures include; affordable housing, specialist housing, tourism, and second homesService villages are likely to share growth pressure

What the Parish Council is doing proactively

• Met twice with NCC planning officers adopting proactive approach to planning partnership
• Tested options: Neighbourhood Plan update or Local Plan engagement
• Discussed preferred growth locations rather than waiting for speculative proposals
• Raised importance of village character, infrastructure, drainage, access, road safety, connectivity and landscape
• Requested key deadlines and input points from NCC
• Secured ongoing commitment of support from NCC’s Local Plan team

Next Steps: Shaping the growth in the villages interest

• Agree best route for influencing future growth
• Review village sites, boundaries, infill options, and design principles
• Identify locations that minimise harm and maximise benefit
• Seek linked community benefits, including; A697 crossing, road safety, footpaths, bio- diversity, business impact and King George Playing Field investment
• Engage residents before finalising any position
• Parish plan input expected during summer 2026, pending NCC update