Planning policy

To make sure we maintain the development and growth of Barnsley.  We produce long term plans and strategies for our area.

Barnsley’s development plan   

Barnsley’s statutory development plan consists of the following:

Following the adoption of the Local Plan we've produced new and updated supplementary planning documents (SPD). These documents contain advice for people applying for planning permission. We use these to help us make decisions on planning applications alongside the Local Plan. We've recently adopted an update to the design of housing development SPD and a new sustainable construction and climate change adaptation SPD on 27 July 2023.

We recently asked for your views on updates to three existing SPDs including financial contributions for schools, house extensions and other domestic alterations and biodiversity and geodiversity. Find out about the draft supplementary planning documents (SPD) consultation.

Barnsley’s Local Plan includes some site allocations which require the production of a masterplan framework. The site policies explain why a masterplan framework is needed.

Contact us using our online form if you need a paper copy of any of our plans, policies or strategies. There's a charge for this to cover our costs.

Neighbourhood planning

Neighbourhood planning was introduced in the government's Localism Act. It allows local communities to lead on development or development projects in their areas.

Brownfield land register

We have a duty to prepare and maintain a brownfield land register. The register will provide an up-to-date, publicly available standard set of information on brownfield land that is suitable for housing.

Statement of community involvement (SCI)

This sets out how we will engage people in the preparation of planning policy documents and in planning application decisions. Read the statement of community involvement (SCI).