An introduction to Neighbourhood Planning Rowena Tyler Community Development Officer Action in rural Sussex

What is Neighbourhood Planning? Neighbourhood planning is a new way for communities to decide the future of the places where they live and work.

A Community Can Choose where new homes, shops and offices should be built

A Community Can Local people can have their say on what those new buildings should look like

A Community Can Communities can actually grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead.

Previous Planning System The problem (identified in Conservatives Green paper) planning system not always clear housing shortage/affordability delays in getting planning permission too much central interference

Planning for the Future The solution (identified in Conservatives Green paper) radical change decisions taken locally incentive driven development strong role for local communities less control/more freedom

The Big Society Statement “We’re giving local people more power over what happens in their neighbourhood – so communities can come together to keep pubs open, stop post offices from closing, run parks and take control over the look and feel of new developments in their area.” David Cameron October 2010

Neighbourhood Planning “We will introduce new rights for communities to shape their local areas through neighbourhood planning. Communities will be able to use neighbourhood development plans to set policies for the development and use of land in their neighbourhoods and through the use of neighbourhood development orders can permit development – in full or in outline.” “A Plain English Guide to the Localism Bill Communities and Local Government”

Neighbourhood Planning 5 Stage Process 14 NP Community Referendum Independent Check Preparing your Plan Agreeing The Neighbourhood

5 Stages to the Process Stage 1: Defining the neighbourhood Stage 2: Preparing the plan Stage 3: Independent check Stage 4: Community referendum Stage 5: Legal force

Funding & Support for the process The Local Planning Authority (LPA) Developers, Parish and Town councils, landowners and local businesses The Coalition Government Planning Specialist Organisations or consultancies Community Engagement Specialist Organisations

Benefits of Compiling a Neighbourhood Plan Communities will have more say on their locality Government not prescriptive on content Potential financial gains under Community Infrastructure Levy and Community Right to Build A material consideration for planning applications Government may directly fund communities

Next Steps – How can you be involved? Over to you, Birdham…….

Contact Details Rowena Tyler Community Development Officer