Stroud District Local Plan

Update on Progress

Brimscombe and Thrupp

07 March 2015

Background – where are we? (1)

Inspector asked Council in June 2014 to do further work: Re-assessment of housing and employment

needs Technical evidence (flood risk, waste water,

highways & traffic, infrastructure) Agreement with Environment Agency,

Highways Agency, Natural England

Background – where are we? (2)

Council undertakes further work July-November 2014

Report to Council 9 December 2014 Inspector asked to reopen examination

December 2014 Hearing session postponed (January 2015) Consultation on Proposed Changes

(February – March 2015)

Don’t forget to respond

by 25

MarchWhat is the Council consulting on?

Changes to allocated sites: New West of Stonehouse allocation Increase of housing in Stroud Valleys New Berkeley Centre policy Protecting Severn Estuary at Sharpness

More detailed policies on flood risk; ecology; heritage; transport

Consultation on Proposed ChangesWhy consult now? So Inspector can consider objections at future

hearing sessions

Why isn’t the Council consulting on housing numbers now? The Inspector has asked the Council to do further

work Consultation will take place later in the examination

process once Inspector happy that evidence is robust Examination process is run by Inspector

Timetable to adoption

Council does further work (February-March) Stage 1 hearing sessions 12-15 May 2015 Inspector decides if Local Plan can progress

Stage 2 hearing sessions May/June 2015 Consultation on main modifications July –

August 2015 Inspector’s Report October/November 2015 Adoption by Council December 2015

Any Questions

Neighbourhood Planning

Brimscombe and Thrupp

07 March 2015

+ Neighbourhood Plans

What is Neighbourhood Planning?

Neighbourhood Plans – set planning policies through a neighbourhood plan that is used in determining planning applications.

Neighbourhood Development Orders / Community Right to Build Orders – grant planning permission for specific development.

“Planning should be a positive process, where people come together and agree a vision for the future of the place where they live. It should also - crucially - be a system that delivers more growth. Our aim with the Localism Bill is not to prevent new building, but to promote it”

Greg Clark, Pro-localism and pro-development: A speech to the Adam Smith Institute, 2 February 2011

“Neighbourhood plans are the key to unlocking more house-building (…) If you give people power, they will use it responsibly. If you explain to them what their community and their country needs, they will do their bit to make sure it is provided. And if you give them a stake in a future in which beautifully designed homes with easy access to green space are, once again affordable for working people on ordinary wages, they will do what it takes to bring that future about”

Nick Boles, ‘Housing the next generation’ speech to Policy Exchange, 10 January 2013

What is behind it?

The Council recognises and supports the development of neighbourhood plans by parish councils. Indeed, the

development strategy specifically states that such plans have a role in bringing forward development to meet

local needs, particularly at the smaller settlements where strategic levels of growth are inappropriate.

SDC Approach

Local Picture

Neighbourhood Plan

Solutions

Survey

Analyses

Survey- Issues- Opportunities- Community needs / wants

Analyses- Consider available options

Solutions- Promote the best option

How can Neighbourhood Plans make a difference?

The Stroud Valleys

Gloucester Fringe

The Stonehouse Cluster

Cam and Dursley

Severn Vale

Berkeley Cluster

Wotton Cluster

Cotswold Cluster

Local issues + local opportunities = plan making with a local flavour

+ Local solutions = Neighbourhood Planning

To add detail and relate development much more closely to the needs

and aspirations of the local community – Cam Steering Group

To improve the area – Dursley Steering Group

To show developers what the community want – Eastington Steering Group

To give the community more involvement in the planning process –

Kingswood Steering Group

To build on work previously done (Parish Plans / Design Statements)

and to create a vision for the future – Stonehouse Steering Group

To improve the communities understanding of the planning process –

Harescombe

What is motivating some communities in Stroud?

Affordable housing

Smaller houses (for downsizing or young generation)

Strengthen the role of Town / Village Centres as community hubs

Create employment opportunity

Enhance the natural environment

Improve movement through and within neighbourhoods

Encourage the development and/or access to community, leisure and recreation facilities

What are their objectives?

Basic overview of process

Getting Started

Publication

Plan Made

Referendum

Submission to LPA

Neighbourhood Area

Writing the Plan

Independent Examination

Considering options & engaging the community

Setting the plan boundary

Transforming vision and objectives into policy

Opportunity to amend the plan

Consideration of basic conditions + publication

Basic conditions + possible amendments

Referendum extent

Community engagement

Cost to the community - time and effort.

Community split

Referendum

Better understanding of planning process

Community – talent

Agencies – expertise

Local Authority – wide range of advice

Developers – viability

Forging Partnerships

Successful plan = Deliverable plan

Cost?• In the small coastal village of Lympstone: £6,389

• In the large Leicestershire village of Broughton Astley: £14,312

• In the Exeter ward of St James: £10,450

• In the deprived urban area of Heathfield Park: £19,500

• In the coastal towns of Lynton & Lynmouth in Exmoor: £27,681

• In the small Norfolk village of Strumpshaw: £4,220

Sample of spending

£3,455 printing + £280 wood for posters + £263 stationary and ink + £141 miscellaneous costs + £44 land registry + £36 room hire = TOTAL SPEND: £4, 220

 Average cost £13,758

www.stroud.gov.uk

Locality

Any Questions?