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The Localism BillThe Localism Billand the new approach to and the new approach to planning in West Dorsetplanning in West Dorset

RobertRobert GouldGould

Leader, WDDCLeader, WDDC

South West Housing InitiativeSouth West Housing Initiative1414thth October 2011 October 2011

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cil 2004 system2004 system

National Planning Policy Statements Regional Spatial Strategies

– Prepared by region, modified and adopted by Secretary of State

Local Development Frameworks– Local Development Scheme– Statement of Community Involvement– Core Strategy– Site Allocations / Development

Management Policies– Other ‘development plan documents’

and ‘supplementary plan documents’

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cil 2004 Planning System2004 Planning System

Too target driven – top down Too complex & unintelligible Too prescriptive – binding reports Too slow Communities feel that planning is “being

done to them” – they have little influence

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cil A new approachA new approach

Decentralisation and localism– local communities more in control

Rebalancing system in favour of sustainable development– Pro-growth - supporting

communities who want development

Cutting red tape– Simpler, quicker, cheaper and

less bureaucratic

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cil National levelNational level

Revised and streamlined national planning policy framework– Draft published this summer– Covering “key principles”– To be read cover-to-cover in 2

hours– Consultation closes on 17 October

No more regional strategies or county-level structure plans

Draft Regulations on neighbourhood planning anticipated shortly

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cil IncentivesIncentives

New Homes Bonus from April 2011

– Government match the additional council tax raised for 6 years

– Affordable homes have extra bonus (over £200k over the 6 years)

– Meaningful proportion spent locally Business Rates

– councils to keep a share of the growth in business rates in their area

Community Infrastructure Levy

– Meaningful proportion spent locally

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cil Local PlansLocal Plans

District level, long term (15years+)

Consistent with national planning policy framework

Must include strategic priorities, including broad locations for growth

Some detail is also needed– Site specifics, quality of development...– [NPPF] presumption in favour of

sustainable development where the plan is absent, silent, indeterminate or where policies are out of date.

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cil Local PlansLocal Plans

Aspirational but realistic

Justified by local evidence (eg housing numbers)

Greater flexibility on form and content

Early and meaningful engagement and collaboration with local people is essential

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cil Neighbourhood PlansNeighbourhood Plans

Prepared by local communities, but will be part of the development plan

Will be independently checked

– in line with strategic policies of district plan, national planning policy framework and EU legislation

Cannot cover strategic issues

– policies on minerals / waste and major infrastructure, including developer contributions

– Minimum level of growth

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cil What can they cover?What can they cover?

Its up to you…– Location of development /

development boundaries / criteria– A new housing / employment site– What infrastructure you hope to

fund– Design standards– Permitted development rights

(through a neighbourhood development order)

(subject to the tests)

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cil What about parish plans?What about parish plans?

Neighbourhood plan is about planning policy, parish planning is more about actions / delivery.

Processes are complementary – they help:– Bring different groups together– Identify priorities and

provide an evidence base

– Identify those who

can help, locally andat different levels

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cil Our Front RunnersOur Front Runners

Central Government invited councils to ‘bid’ for an opportunity to try out the new system before it is finalised

In West Dorset:– Cerne (first wave)– Sherborne (third wave)

Exciting opportunity to influence national legislation and guidance, and to shape the future of the area

The Localism Bill should come into force April 2012

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cil ConclusionsConclusions

Localism Bill should give communities a greater voice, but its not about preventing development

New style local plans prepared with active public involvement from the start is key to success

Opportunities to make decisions locally but need to be evidence based

Piloting the new system is huge opportunity for us to influence it

Localism Bill into effect in April 2012