Neighbourhood planning – this much we know Alice Lester, Datewww.pas.gov.uk

Neighbourhood planning Little bit of background Front runners Some thoughts

Neighbourhood planning “It is not merely landowners in the area who are affected or even business interests. Too often in the past the objections of a noisy minority have been allowed to drown the voices of other people vitally affected. These too must have their say, and when they have had it, the provisional plan may need a good deal of alteration, but it will be all the better for that since it will reflect actual needs democratically expressed. In the past, plans have been too much the plans of officials and not the plans of individuals, but I hope we are going to stop that.”

The past 18 months Open source planning, Localism Bill, Regs: –Collaborative working on local plan, neighbourhoods upwards Neighbourhoods taking responsibility for planning in their areas – NIMBY worries All about growth & economic prosperity – more, not less development Neighbourhoods influencing and shaping the growth of an area

“When people …..have a proper say over what new homes will look like; and when they can influence where those homes go, they have reasons to say “yes” to growth.” Greg Clark Nov 2010

And now Neighbourhoods should…. develop plans that support the strategic development needs….including policies for housing and economic development Plan positively…power to promote more development than …in local plan Draft NPPF July 2011

Front runner work 73 authorities working on 125 plans and development orders (waves 1-4) Mixture of parished & non-parished areas, commercial and residential DCLG/PAS support Moved from ‘what’s it all about’ to ‘how will it work’

Front runner issues Housing: –growth (how much and where) –bringing empty/inadequate homes back into use –affordable housing provision –retirement village –self build

Front runner issues Inner city development pressures Town centres Preserving the character of neighbourhoods Local employment Lack of infrastructure Transport issues Rural isolation Village design statement

Or is it about these issues? “For years too many streets…have been ruined by a tasteless jumble of shop signs, railings and billboards, and the people who live there have been left powerless to clear away this clutter. Well enough’s enough. We want to give power back to local people so they can decide what their neighbourhoods look like” Source: Grant Shapps, DCLG, 6 June 2011

Other reasons Increase public participation in a development area Bringing community groups together Community active already Avoid ‘being done to’ Being part of an initiative

Neighbourhood Planning Early front runners talk of it being a DPD – action area plan or site allocations document Later ones – a neighbourhood plan (which may also be a site allocations document) Does neighbourhood planning need to end in a neighbourhood plan (or order)? It all ends up as part of the Council’s plan

How are they going about it? Hands on/hands off Helping not leading 3 rd party involvement Link with the local plan

Things to think about the involvement of people rather than the name on the plan who does the work

Councillor involvement Mixture of enthusiasm and suspicion Front runner initiative stemmed from them eg Lake District, Mole Valley Tension between district & parish councillors? Make link with local plan Manage conflict and competing bids Mediate, explain, cajole

Tips so far from front runners Works best where organised community group exists – so help to do that Integrate with local plan work Use your councillors and community development officers Understand other support available

Tips from PAS Understand what it is for How important is it for you as the strategic body Early and frank discussions Have a plan B

The challenges for local authorities Communication/role and responsibilities Getting an up to date local plan in place Integrating with the local plan Attitude to conflict/competing bids Business/developer involvement CiL – meaningful proportion Examination and referendum Resourcing?

Neighbourhood planning – will it support growth change NIMBY to YIMBY deliver a community consensus solve the issues get people more involved in planning produce neighbourhood plans or better local plans