Neighbourhood Development Plans The Local Authorities Role Celia Dring and Claire Courtois Planning Policy Team North Somerset Council

Duty to assist Designating a neighbourhood area Advising and assisting in the plan preparation Checking a submitted plan meets the legal requirements Arranging an examination Organising a referendum Bringing a plan into force

Statutory Duties

Designating an area North Somerset is a parished authority. NDP area is submitted to North Somerset Council NSC advertise boundary for 4/6 weeks NSC need to formally agree boundary within 8/13 weeks of advertisement

Advising and assisting in plan preparation Will you plan add value? Initial meeting: Is a NDP the right tool for you?

We can: Steer you through policy writing Ensure you have a sound evidence base Help with maps Help with supporting documents Advising and assisting in plan preparation

Consultation Networking Information sharing

Checking a submitted plan When the Parish Council is happy with their plan they must submit it to the LPA Parish need to include Map Plan Consultation Statement Basic Condition Statement SEA/HRA reports where necessary LPA will then publicise the plan for 6 weeks

Arranging an examination LPA appoints an independent examiner with the consent of the qualifying body. The majority of NDP examinations are dealt with as written representations Discretion of the examiner as to whether a hearing is needed.

Financial/Resource Limitations parish funding/direct support currently available through locality: RTPI Planning Aid NSC expenses reimbursed through DCLG anticipating demand – Officer time/capacity.