Supplementary planning documents

Supplementary planning documents (SPDs) contain advice for people who are applying for planning permission. They help us to make decisions on planning applications, and are used alongside the Local Plan. Following the advice in SPDs leads to a smoother planning process and a good quality development at the end. You can read more about the planning process.

Following the adoption of the Local Plan on 3 January 2019, we produced updated SPDs. We adopted 18 of these on 23 May 2019 and a further eight on 28 November 2019. Since then, the following SPDs have been updated:

  • Affordable housing (adopted 28 July 2022)

  • Sustainable travel (adopted 28 July 2022)

  • Design of housing development (adopted 27 July 2023)

  • Biodiversity and geodiversity (adopted 28 March 2024)

  • House extensions and other domestic alterations (adopted 28 March 2024)

  • Financial contributions to educational provision (adopted 22 May 2025)

  • Hot food takeaways (adopted 26 March 2026)

A new sustainable construction and climate change adaptation SPD was also adopted on the 27 July 2023.

The hot food takeaways planning advice note has also been updated (adopted 26 March 2026).

Current supplementary planning documents

Document

Description

Advertisements

Guidance to anyone seeking to display an outdoor advertisement.

Affordable housing

Advice on when contributions will be sought for affordable housing and how they will be calculated. Provides guidance on other issues such as the type and tenure of affordable housing, off-site provision, etc.

First homes technical note

Summary of first homes policy and how this will be applied in Barnsley. To be read in conjunction with the affordable housing SPD.

Barn conversions

Design guidance to anyone seeking to convert a farm building to residential or other use.

Biodiversity and geodiversity

Sets out how Local Plan policy BIO1 and GI1 on green infrastructure will be applied. It also provides further specific detail about the Dearne Valley Nature Improvement Area.

Cawthorne village design statement

The village design statement briefly describes Cawthorne as it is today and highlights the qualities valued by residents. The statement is not a set of rigid rules. It is intended to be a collection of sensible criteria to encourage good design.

Design of housing development

Sets out the design principles that will apply to new housing developments, including infill and back land development. It also provides advice on conversions to dwellings from other uses and gives guidance on houses in multiple occupation (HMO).

Development on land affected by contamination

Gives information on how to deal with contaminated land.

Elsecar conservation area design and maintenance guide

Supports the Elsecar heritage action zone (HAZ) and the conservation area status. Provides guidance on how to look after properties in the Elsecar conservation area.

Financial contributions for educational provision

Advises on the requirements for financial contributions towards the provision of school places. Also seeks contributions towards improving the condition of schools where appropriate.

Heritage impact statements

Advice on heritage impact assessments and sets out the requirements for the information that needs to be submitted.

Hot food takeaways

Explains the main issues that are likely to apply to a planning application for a hot food takeaway.

Hot food takeaways planning advice note

Explains and includes exclusion zones around schools where new takeaways won't be allowed.

House extensions and other domestic alterations

Guidance to anyone seeking to extend or alter their house.

Lawful development certificates

Guidance to anyone considering applying for a lawful development certificate.

Mortar mixes for pointing historic buildings

Guidance on methods and mixes for pointing historic buildings.

Open space provision on new housing developments

Guidance on what will be expected in terms of open space provision for new residential developments.

Parking

Gives guidance on parking standards.

Planning obligations

Introduces the SPDs on specific topics which seek section 106 contributions. This includes sustainable travel, affordable housing, financial contributions for schools and open space provision on new housing developments. This SPD sets out priorities for contributions. It makes it clear that where multiple developer contributions are required, those for schools and sustainable travel will take precedence.

Removal of agricultural occupancy conditions

Guidance on the information required to support a planning application seeking removal of agricultural occupancy conditions.

Residential amenity and the siting of buildings

The design principles that will apply to applications for non residential buildings in proximity to existing residential properties.

Section 278 agreements

Sets out the process of section 278 agreements which relate to works within the highway.

Section 38 agreements

Sets out the process of section 38 agreements which relate to adoption of highway.

Shop front designs

Guidance to anyone seeking to alter a shopfront.

Sustainable construction and climate change adaption

Sets out our approach to planning decisions in respect of sustainable construction and adapting to climate change.

Sustainable travel

Seeks contributions for sustainable and active travel. 

Trees and hedgerows

Guidance on how to deal with existing trees and hedgerows on development sites.

Walls and fences

Guidance on the planning requirements for walls and fences.

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

Supporting documents

The following documents support each set of SPDs.

Date

Adoption statement

Consultation statement

Consultation drafts

23 May 2019

23 May adoption statement

23 May consultation statement

23 May consultation drafts (see cabinet agenda item 204, appendix 2, page 73)

28 November 2019

28 November adoption statement

28 November consultation statement

28 November consultation drafts (see cabinet agenda item 75, appendix 2)

28 July 2022

28 July adoption statement

28 July consultation statement

28 July consultation drafts (see Cabinet agenda item 139, appendices 1 and 2)

27 July 2023

27 July adoption statement

27 July design of housing development SPD consultation statement

27 July sustainable construction and climate change adaption consultation statement

27 July consultation drafts for design of housing development (see Cabinet agenda item 281)

27 July consultation drafts for sustainable construction and climate change adaption (see Cabinet agenda item 121)

28 March 2024

28 March adoption statement

28 March biodiversity and geodiversity consultation statement

28 March house extensions and other domestic alterations consultation statement

28 March consultation drafts:

Biodiversity and geodiversity (see Cabinet agenda item 13, appendix 1)

House extensions and other domestic alterations (see Cabinet agenda item 15, appendix 1)

22 May 2025

22 May adoption statement

22 May consultation statement 

22 May further consultation statement

22 May consultation draft (2023) for financial contributions to educational provision (see cabinet agenda item 14, appendix 1)

22 May further consultation (2024) draft for financial contributions to educational provision (see cabinet agenda item 54, appendix 2)

 

26 March 2026

26 March adoption statement

26 March consultation statement

August 2025 Hot food takeaway SPD consultation version

August 2025 Hot food takeaway PAN consultation version

Local development orders

Local development orders are made by local planning authorities. They give a grant of planning permission to specific types of development within a defined area.

The Ashroyd and Shortwood Business Park, Hoyland, Local Development Order 2012 provides planning guidance for development on the Ashroyd and Shortwood Business Parks.