Preparing Neighbourhood Plans

Joanna Widdecombe

Content

• A process ‘refresher’-just what have we got to do again? • Site assessment and allocations- what is it all about?

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Preparing your plan - overview

NP

CommunityReferendum

Independent Check

Preparing your Plan

Agreeing The Neighbourhood

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Stage 2 : Plan preparation

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What’s good?

What’s bad?

What needs to change?

Stage 2 – Plan preparation

• This involves:- inclusive community engagement- building an evidence base- site assessment and allocations- drafting vision, objectives, policies and proposals- sustainable appraisal/strategic environmental assessment

• Must include a formal 6 week consultation period to publicise draft plan and consider responses

• Publicise to all who live, work or carry out business

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The Basic Conditions

1. Must have appropriate regard to national policy2. Must be in general conformity with strategic elements

of the Local Plan3. Contributes toward sustainable development4. Has special regard to desirability of preserving

character and setting of listed buildings (NDO only)5. Has special regard to desirability of preserving

character and appearance of conservation areas (NDO only)

6. Compatible with EU obligations

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Information to include to go with your Draft

• Plan/statement showing the area• Title of the plan

• Consultation statement detailing:o Who was consulted

o How they were consultedo A summary of the main issues and concerns

and how these issues have been addressed• “Basic conditions” statement

o an outline of how the proposals meet the “basic conditions”

Submitting your Neighbourhood Plan

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Stage 3: Independent Check

• An Independent Examiner will check the plan to see if it meets the ‘basic conditions’ • Examiner appointed in conjunction with qualifying body• Appointment may be subject to Council

tendering/procurement requirements• No requirement to hold a public hearing • After the check the Examiner can:

1. Refer to referendum 2. Recommend modifications 3. Refuse

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Stage 4: Community Referendum

• Organised and funded by the Council

• Examiner can extend the scope• Simple 50%+ rule • Underlines the importance of

securing community support from the outset

• Referendum Regulations

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The community referendum question

“Do you want Cornwall Council to use the neighbourhood plan for St Ives to help it decide planning applications in

the neighbourhood area?”

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Referendum to date

Upper Eden:• 33% turnout/90% voted in favourExeter St James:• 21% turnout/92% voted in favourThame:• 40% turnout/76% voted in favourTattenhall:• 51.9% turnout/92% voted in favour

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Stage 5 – Make a plan

• The local planning authority publish decision to ‘make’ the plan and available for inspection

• Must publicise their decision for 6 weeks• Plan then part of the statutory development plan for the area• A basis for determination of planning applications and appeals

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• Site assessment and allocation - what it involves!

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First things first!

Do you need to allocate sites?How to choose which sites to include?

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Why should we assess sites in our neighbourhood plan?

The National Planning Policy Framework identifies the advantages of carrying out land assessments for housing and economic development as part of the same exercise, in order that sites may be allocated for the use, which is most appropriate.

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Neighbourhood Plans may intend to “dig deeper” in the assessment of sites in their area

• Housing • Economy

Retail, Leisure, Office, Warehousing etc.• Thinking about Education land use• Thinking about Environmental land use• Thinking about Community Facilities land use• Thinking about Green Space protection• Thinking about Transportation land use• Thinking about Heritage land use

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Working through your site assessment in stages makes it easier…

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Desk Based Work On Site Work Desk Based Review

Step 1: Identify sites

Step 2: Assess sites in your neighbourhood plan area:• Is the site – AVAILABLE?• Is the site – SUITABLE and SUSTAINABLE?• Is the site – ACHIEVABLE / DELIVERABLE?• Can constraints be overcome?

Using an agreed and uniform approach to assessing sites is sensible…

Building an audit trail

Assessment by agreement

Recognising we cant include every detail

Trust across a neighbourhood

plan group

If challenged a process can be

shown

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Top Tips for a Successful Site Assessment!

• Site Plan showing the site boundary• Plan showing the site and the wider area• Aerial photograph• Assessment form (some of this will already be completed).• Clipboard• Pens/pencils – use different colours to indicate different features e.g. trees, footpaths, buildings etc.• Camera – take photos from a number of directions. Use a standard lens, do not use a telephoto or wide-angle lens as this will distort site features. A photograph an be used as evidence.• It is a good idea to do the survey with at least one other person.• Check permission with landowner about access rights

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Step 3: Evidence base

Aim to clearly eliminate unsuitable sites• Keep a record of unsuitable sites and the reasons for

discounting themIdentify most appropriate sites• Need for them• Available, capable of being developed and built upon

within the plan period

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In summary…..

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Next…..let’s have a go!

• Our Neighbourhood Plans Frontrunner website – www.ourneighbourhoodplanning.org.uk – for all the latest postings on good/bad practice around the country

• Our ‘Up Front’ e-bulletin for up-to-date news on neighbourhood planning – subscribe at ebulletin@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk

Some useful bits….

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Contact Details

Neighbourhood Planning Support: info@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk Advice Line: 0330 123 9244

E-mail: advice@planningaid.rtpi.org.ukwww.rtpi.org.uk/planningaid