Planning Aid England Neighbourhood Planning: Lessons Learned John Romanski BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI Senior PAE Advisor

What does Planning Aid England do? Provide free, independent, professional planning advice to people who do not have the means to pay professional fees Provide support and training to local communities so they can influence and contribute to planning strategy, policy and decision making Focus on Neighbourhood Planning Support 2

Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning DCLG supported programme launched on 15 April 2013 and applications opened on 1 May 2013 Two main aspects to support: grants and direct support Also a shared learning element There is one consortium delivering the programme, rather than four support organisations as before The programme is open to groups who have already had SCNP support and to new groups

We Provide a Valuable Service… 4

Challenges Faced by Communities Setting up Forums Project planning Resourcing Engaging hard to reach groups Understanding what land use planning policies are Writing policy 5

Even More Challenges! SEA Engaging constructively Separating fact from opinion Supporting statements Resourcing Knowing when to stop 6

Examples of good LPA engagement Leeds Holbeck Intensive support over 18 months from officers of both Development Dept. (Planning) and Citizens & Communities Dept. Technical/admin support Attendance at Forum meetings, Support Group meetings 7 Leeds Neighbourhood Planning Agreement sets out the role and responsibilities of the Council, qualifying body and support organisations

Examples of good LPA engagement Leeds Linton Attendance at group meetings in order to provide detailed comments on final emerging drafts Detailed comments 8 Provide excellent officer support (across 6 or more Planning officers) Leeds City Council Hold a quarterly NP Steering Group meeting

Examples of good LPA engagement Camden Supporting highest number of Neighbourhood Forums in London (10); Kentish Town, Highgate, Somers Town, Fitzrovia, West Hampstead Dedicated officers Cross-boundary plans & complex issues (e.g. HS2) Regular attendance at forum meetings, comments on policies by 9

What can local authorities do to offer more support to groups? 10 Understanding the policy context and its implications Determining patterns/extent of growth that the NP will want to respond to Providing comments on early ideas for policy/iterations Committing to attend number of forum meetings Ensuring that groups are aware of key policies in the local plan and London Plan Keeping groups aware/enabling access to emerging new evidence if plan is being reviewed. Providing consistency and clarity throughout the process Enable DM to give comments on emerging policy. Consistency!

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