A Neighbourhood Plan (NP) : sets out local planning policies that will then be used to decide whether to approve planning applications is written by a local community (us), who know and love an area is a way to ensure we get the right types of development, in the right place

A Neighbourhood Area : defines the chosen geographic area covered by a Neighbourhood Forum is approved only after public consultation – in our case, carried out by Solihull Council in summer 2015 for us, is bounded by the M42 to the west; the Borough boundary to the South; and the Grand Union Canal to the West

What Does a NP Cover? In essence, it’s about: 1.Land use 2.Future development In essence, it’s about: 1.Land use 2.Future development..which can cover many important aspects of daily life in our community

Development-Related Topics

Why Do We Need a Plan? Because it gives us a real say and influence over future development in our area…… Our Plan could include policies, for example, that: address big issues, like the location and scale of new development provide for enhanced local services and infrastructure through development benefits capture and protect what is distinctive about our neighbourhood Our Plan could include policies, for example, that: address big issues, like the location and scale of new development provide for enhanced local services and infrastructure through development benefits capture and protect what is distinctive about our neighbourhood..so we can be more confident that new development will suit our needs

Who Approves the Plan? Forum leaders whose job it is to ensure that developing the plan is : well managed fair and representative in line with required legislation ✖ The proposed Plan goes through an independent Referendum ✔ ✖ Forum members who actively contribute to, and vote on, Plan content ✔ Every adult who lives, works or runs a business in the Area can vote on the Plan

Does The Plan Have Teeth? The policies we define must be : adopted by Solihull Council into their statutory development plan take precedence in determining planning permission for local (non- strategic) development Planning permission that doesn’t conform to the Plan would normally be refused YES !! An approved Plan has legal force

A Neighbourhood Forum : must be created to develop a Plan where no Parish Council exists. None of our villages has a Parish Council must follow a robust process to be approved by government - our Forum became official on 10 October 2015 once approved, has statutory powers (which Resident Associations do not) is made up of unpaid volunteers who live in the Area

Is the Forum Elected? elected Councillors of Wards in the Area are members of the Forum. All councillors have given us positive support forum members have agreed a small Steering Committee to lead Forum and Plan development. Roles are reviewed annually any member is welcome to put themselves forward for leadership roles material decisions are taken by all members at regular open Forum meetings - not by the Steering Committee - and minuted

The Forum’s Remit and Focus is simple - to produce a Neighbourhood Plan working with the whole community, whose policies are supported by hard evidence is dictated by input from everyone involved – the greater the input, the better the outcome is to ‘do the leg work’ on behalf of local people who don’t have the time is wholly dependent on YOUR input for success

Link to Residents Associations the Forum, Knowle Society (KS) and the Dorridge and District Residents Association (DDRA) play complementary roles in supporting our community the Forum develops plans for the medium to long term, relating to land use and new development the KS and DDRA will continue to play a vital role in lobbying Solihull Council on existing, day-to-day issues working together, across our three villages, gives us a much stronger voice

Forum Membership costs nothing enables you to make your views heard keeps you abreast of latest developments means you get to vote on the format and content of the plan does NOT commit you to Committee meetings (unless that’s what you want) leaves you to decide how you want to get involved according to your interests and time available

Who Can Be A Member? anyone who lives, works or runs a business in the Area it’s vital that student and youth members are represented - although under 18’s cannot vote in the final Referendum we are working hard to ensure membership is truly representative of our Area. This is not yet the case. if you are interested, but live outside the Area, you can join as a ‘Subscriber’ (but won’t be able to vote in the Referendum)

And finally….. thank you for your interest in the Neighbourhood Forum / Plan today please join up! we are busy planning activities and events to involve you, and the whole community, in the first stages of developing the Plan please help us by adding your voice to surveys and discussions as a member, we’ll keep you fully updated on plans and developments