Call for Sites: Frequently asked questions

A Call for Sites is an early stage in preparing a Local Plan where the Council invites people to suggest land that could be suitable for future development or other uses.

North Norfolk District Council is preparing a new Local Plan under the Government's updated plan-making system. To do this effectively, the Council needs to understand what land may be available for development or other uses across the district.

The Government has introduced a new plan-making system that requires councils to prepare updated Local Plans. These plans must reflect current needs, respond to change, and follow a more streamlined and digital approach.

The new system focuses on:

• faster preparation of plans
• clearer and more accessible information
• greater use of digital tools
• stronger evidence to support decisions

As a result, councils need to gather comprehensive and up-to-date information, including potential development sites.

Anyone can submit a site, including:

• landowners
• developers
• agents
• businesses
• community groups
• members of the public

You do not need to own the land to suggest it, but you should provide as much information as possible. Only sites which are realistically available and deliverable for the proposed use will be taken forward through the Local Plan.

Sites can be put forward for a range of potential uses, such as:

• housing
• employment, for example, offices and industry
• retail or commercial uses
• community facilities
• Local Green Space
• infrastructure

No. Submitting a site does not mean it will automatically be allocated or approved for development. All sites will be assessed alongside other evidence as part of the Local Plan process.

The Council will assess all submitted sites to understand their suitability, availability and potential. This will help inform decisions about which areas may be appropriate for future development in the Local Plan.

All submissions must be made online via the Council's website. You will need to complete a structured question-and-answer form about the site.

The Council is following the Government's digital planning agenda, which aims to make planning processes more efficient, transparent and user-friendly. The online format makes sure consistent information is collected for every site.

You will be asked for details such as:

• the location and boundary of the site
• current use of the land
• proposed use(s)
• ownership information if known
• any known constraints such as access, flooding and heritage

A single land parcel is required per submission to minimise confusion and make sure that all questions in the form can be answered clearly and accurately. These questions are designed to gather information about each specific site.

After the submission deadline:

1. The Council will review and assess all sites
2. A list of submitted sites is expected to be published
3. Further consultation stages will follow as the Local Plan progresses

The Council expects to publish information on submitted sites at a later stage to ensure transparency, although personal data will be protected.

The Call for Sites runs from Monday 1 June 2026 to Monday 13 July 2026. Submissions must be received by the closing date.

Yes. The Call for Sites is just one step in preparing the Local Plan. There will be further opportunities to comment as the plan develops.