Planning Aid England Neighbourhood Planning: Lessons Learned Liz Beth MRTPI Neighbourhood Planning Advisor

What does Planning Aid England do? Provides free, independent, professional planning advice - to people who can’t afford professional fees Provides support and training to local communities so they can influence and contribute to planning strategy, policy and decision making Neighbourhood Planning Support 2

Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning DCLG supported programme launched April 2013; Two key forms of support: grants and direct support; Also a shared learning element available to any NP group; Consortium including Locality, URS, PAE, NPIERS has delivered the programme; The programme now winding down – new proposals coming!

PAE Case Studies can be found at:- Roseland: a case study on running your steering group; Higham Ferrers: a case study about local character and design; Oxford Brookes: a case study about involving students in neighbourhood planning; Friends of Fishwick and St Matthew’s (FOFS): a case study about dealing with planning and non-planning issues; Leeds: a case study about a local authority’s role in neighbourhood planning. 4

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

Even More Challenges! SEA Engaging constructively Separating fact from opinion Supporting statements Engaging Consultants Staying engaged 6

Understanding the need for Evidence “Decide where you want new homes and businesses to go” – Groups have taken this to mean only evidence needed for site selection is local opinion…. Promoting and explaining the LPA evidence available is a key support role for LPAs; SHLAA often misunderstood – seen as an LPA allocation exercise As ‘soundness’ of a neighbourhood plan (NP) not considered by examiner; need for evidence base = need for robust policy; URS have done useful evidence reviews for groups. 7

Project Planning – Process problems Groups have problems with this because they don’t understand the process; We recommend the PAS spreadsheet; A simple key tasks list with indicative dates should be drawn up early in the plan preparation process. 8

Understanding landuse planning policy – Quiz Provision of affordable homes? Retention of trees? Community litter patrols? Satellite dish restrictions? Expanded community bus services? Promotion of renewable energy in new homes? 20mph speed restrictions? Colour of bricks to use? Changing a house to a nursery? 9

Writing Policy – how to approach this Work up a vision and objectives if not already done; Issues and options can be teased out of existing evidence – ie state of the parish and local surveys etc; Used “Policy Intent” as a bridge – ie what do you want your policy to do? Introduce the need for technical evidence as well as local preferences; Justification to include reference to evidence in support and policy compliance. 10

Policy Intent Evidence 11 Complies with Local Plan and NPPF?

What can local authorities do for local NP groups? 12 Explain the policy context and its implications; Explaining the process, assisting with project planning; Provide information and evidence that the NP may (hopefully) want to respond to – ie extent and pattern of growth proposed; Providing comments on early ideas for policy/issues etc; Enable DM to give comments on emerging policy and assist with policy writing; Committing to attend number of forum meetings; Providing access to materials from PAE, Locality, PAS etc; Providing consistency and clarity throughout the process; Keep group in the loop in later stages of the process.

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 13 Leeds Neighbourhood Planning Agreement sets out the role and responsibilities of the Council, qualifying body and support organisations

Examples of good LPA engagement Leeds 2 Linton Attendance at group meetings in order to provide detailed comments on final emerging drafts Detailed comments 14 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 - Bristol Strategic Planning team supports NP groups – 6 officers; 2 levels of support – higher in areas of deprivation & regeneration; Memorandum of understanding with level 2 groups; Links to other council departments’ resources and technical support (transport, housing); Regular attendance at meetings; Advice on content and policy wording of plan; Links to existing Neighbourhood Partnerships; Bristol currently has 5 NP groups. 15

Examples of good LPA engagement - Camden Supporting highest number of Forums in London (10) – eg Kentish Town, Highgate, West Hampstead Dedicated officers Cross-boundary plans & complex issues (e.g. HS2) Regular attendance at forum meetings; comments on policies by ; evidence advice. 16

Example of good LPA practice - Cornwall 17 and-planning/planning/neighbourhood- planning-toolkit/?page=31540

20 Contact Details PAE Advice Line: To volunteer: