Short answer
For planning in Betley (Staffordshire) follow the Neighbourhood Plan, then the Local Plan and Staffordshire Moorlands (or Newcastle-under-Lyme?) planning authority policies; consult the local planning officer and pre-application advice to align design and evidence. Epistemology is the philosophical study of knowledge—how we know things and justify beliefs.

Key terms

• Neighbourhood Plan — local, community-made planning rules that sit under the Local Plan.
• Local Plan — the council’s statutory development strategy.
• Pre-application advice — formal council guidance before submitting an application.
• Epistemology — theory of knowledge: belief, truth, justification.

How it works

• Check which borough/district council covers Betley and read its Local Plan and the Betley Neighbourhood Plan.
• Use pre-application advice and consult neighbours (public engagement).
• Provide evidence: design, heritage, flood/ecology reports to show conformity.
• Address policies (housing type, greenbelt, settlement boundaries) in the planning statement.
• Expect negotiation, possible conditions or refusal and appeal routes.

Simple example
Show how your design follows a Neighbourhood Plan’s design code and Local Plan housing policy in the planning statement.

Pitfalls or nuances

• Neighbourhood Plan can be more restrictive than the Local Plan.
• Different councils and duties (e.g. conservation, ecology) add complexity.

Next questions to explore

• Which local authority covers Betley?
• Do you have a draft design and site constraints (flooding, heritage)?

Further reading / references

• Planning Practice Guidance — GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/guidance)
• Search query: “Betley Neighbourhood Plan Staffordshire PDF” (if unsure which council covers Betley)