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Northumberland County is currently reviewing and updating maps and policies related to long-term growth and land needs in Northumberland County’s Official Plan. Share your feedback as we prepare for future growth in our community.
What is Growth Management?
Current Provincial forecasts indicate that by the year 2051, Northumberland's population will grow to approximately 122,000 people and the workforce will grow to approximately 44,000 jobs.
To ensure our community is prepared for this future growth, we are reviewing maps and policies related to long-term growth and land needs in Northumberland County’s Official Plan. This amendment process will help us assess how new development will be planned, phased, and accommodated to the year 2051.
This process is required to bring the County’s Official Plan into conformity with the Growth Plan, 2019 (as amended), as well as to reflect current provincial policy direction and the County’s strategic initiatives.
The Growth Management Amendment will result in updates to the Northumberland County Official Plan policies, including:
- Long-term population, housing and employment forecasts to 2051
- Allocations of population, housing and employment by Urban and Rural Area, as well as by planning policy area
- An analysis of urban Community Area land needs (to accommodate residential and population-related employment)
- An analysis of urban Employment Area land needs (to accommodate industrial type employment)
- A review and analysis of Employment Area conversion requests
Public consultation process
In December 2021, Northumberland County launched the public consultation process for the Growth Management Amendment with a virtual presentation of our Growth Management Report and an online public review and comment period, which is currently ongoing.
This spring, we will be hosting a virtual open house and public meeting to provide additional information and opportunities for public feedback.
Join In the conversation
For a copy of the full draft Growth Management report or proposed official plan amendment, please submit a request to our Land Use Planning team by email at campbelld@northumberland.ca.
Project timelines
Completed
December 2021 - virtual public meeting
- Launched online review process of our Growth Management Report and Needs Analysis.
Current stage
April/May 2022
- Virtual open house and public meeting regarding updates to growth management mapping and policies in the County Official Plan.
Next steps
Summer 2022
- Complete final report
- Present recommendation for Growth Management mapping and policies to Northumberland County Council for adoption
- Submit the amendment to the Province for approval and implementation.
News updates
2022
2021
Supporting documents
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As the first amendment planned for the Northumberland Next Official Plan update, Northumberland County has developed a Natural Heritage System Plan to manage community growth in a way that preserves and enhances our natural environment for future generations. The NHS report was finalized based on multiple rounds of public consultations that took place between 2018-2020, and was endorsed by County Council on July 22, 2020.
Staff have now initiated an Official Plan amendment and are waiting for the Province to approve the amendment before the mapping and policies will be incorporated into the County Official Plan.
What is a Natural Heritage System?
Required by the province, the natural heritage system includes areas such as wetlands, woodlands and watercourses that have been identified as significant natural features that we must protect and enhance.
The Natural Heritage System Plan will result in updates to the Northumberland County Official Plan policies, including:
- Establishing a new Natural Heritage Area designation that will apply to properties with natural heritage features
- Identification of natural heritage features and areas, as well as supporting features and areas that would be subject to development prohibitions and/or restrictions
- Introduction of new policies affecting development and site alteration in and adjacent to the Natural Heritage System
- Updates to the requirements for environmental studies
Public consultation process
In November 2018, Northumberland County conducted the first round of public consultation sessions to gather input on natural features to be included in Northumberland County's Natural Heritage System Plan.
This input was used to develop three Natural Heritage System options, which were presented to the public for feedback during our second round of public consultation sessions in November and December 2019.
In response to feedback received during these public consultation sessions, the County developed an online interactive map to demonstrate how each of the three options for a Natural Heritage System would be implemented in our community. Public feedback was gathered on the proposed mapping until February 21, 2020.
Project timelines
Completed
November 2018 - first round of public consultations
- Northumberland County Headquarters, Cobourg - November 26, 2018
- Cramahe Township Municipal Office, Colborne - November 28, 2018
- Clock Tower Cultural Centre, Campbellford - November 29, 2018
November/December 2019 - second round of public consultations
- Cramahe Township Municipal Office, Colborne - November 21, 2019
- Northumberland County Headquarters, Cobourg - December 2, 2019
- Clock Tower Cultural Centre, Campbellford - December 3, 2019
January/February 2020
- Interactive map and online form for gathering public input
July 2020
Spring/Summer 2020
- Present the preferred Natural Heritage System option to Northumberland County Council on July 22, 2020
March 2021
- Initiate update and arrange for a public meeting to incorporate the preferred Natural heritage System mapping and policies into the County Official Plan update
December 2021
- County Council adopted the Natural Heritage System amendment and the amendment was sent to the Province for approval
Next steps
- Implement the Natural Heritage System mapping and policies upon approval from the Province
News updates
2021
2020
2019
2018
Supporting documents
(Completed)
