Emerging plans at local and neighbourhood level Sarah O’Driscoll Service Manager City Planning 22 nd April 2014

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Content Bristol’s statutory planning context How we have been working with our Neighbourhood Forums the challenges the opportunities Some of the lessons and learning to date

Bristol – West of England Sub-region 22 nd April 2014

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Bristol’s statutory planning context

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Introducing Neighbourhood Planning to Bristol….local governance Bristol is entirely ‘un-parished has ‘Local Neighbourhood Partnerships’ of 2 to 3 wards is short on neighbourhood level governance structures Implications…. Area and Forum designation process required Too large to be ‘neighbourhoods’ Weak on experience of neighbourhood elected representation

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Introducing Neighbourhood Planning to Bristol….local governance Bristol BUT the LPA has a history of active working with community groups on neighbourhood planning predating Localism Act Implications…. Ready experience of community engagement in: – Character appraisals, landscape appraisals, ecology assessments – Commenting on Planning applications and emerging DPDs – SPD preparation with LPA

PAS London 22 nd April Introducing Neighbourhood Planning to Bristol….Neighbourhood Planning Forums Using existing Neighbourhood Planning Network Identified 3 Front Runner Pilots Provided training for established conservation area and planning groups on emerging Act and Regulations Explored options and alternatives using ‘Choices and Choosing’ established a cycle of open application for Neighbourhood planning Area and Neighbourhood Planning Forum designations

PAS London 22 nd April Introducing Neighbourhood Planning to Bristol….Neighbourhood Planning Forums Provided guidance on process and requirements Information leaflet and process sheet Guidance on how to apply LPA prioritisation of support How to set up a constitution Standards for working together – MoA How to retain a consultant – outline for a brief and contract process

Neighbourhood Planning Areas and Forums 22 nd April 2014 Designations 5 Neighbourhood Planning Areas and Forums July 2012 Lockleaze and Redcliffe Way May 2013 Lawrence Weston and Old Market July 2013 Knowle West

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Lockleaze Site allocation proposal map Issues and options map

PAS London 22nd April 2014 Redcliffe Way BCAP sectionRedcliffe illustration

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Old Market Quarter BCAP allocations Old Market Map

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Old Market Quarter Community vision for Old Market roundabout

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Lawrence Weston Site allocationCommunity allocations

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Lawrence Weston

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Knowle West Site allocationKW Regeneration Framework

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Timetabling….. NPF NPF designation date Aims and Objectives Consultation First Draft NDP Consultation Revised Draft NDP Consultation Submission independent examination Examination Referendum anticipated Consultants appointed Lockleaze Voice April 2012 April/May 2014 August 2014 October / November 2014 LDA Oct 2013 Redcliffe Way February 2013 September 2014 March 2015July 2015 September 2015 LDA/muf Jan 2013 Old Market Quarter April 2013 October / November 2013 May / June 2014 July / August 2014 October / November 2014* January 2015 Consultant policy drafting Lawrence Weston Set in Community Plan published Spring 2013 April/May 2014 June / July 2014 August 2014 October / November 2014 January 2015Planning Aid Knowle West Area Set in constitution, derived from work on KW Regeneration Framework January 2015June 2015September 2015 October / November 2015* January* 2016 Due end of April 2014

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Learning: Challenges – why not faster delivery? What has held up the process to date: – for Neighbourhood Forums – For LPAs Understanding the task Getting community involvement Identifying the skills required Accessing finance Appointing consultants energy Access to resources Existing DPD priorities Existing commitments Managing finances and legislative processes

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Learning: Challenges – why not faster delivery? -Joint LPA and Forum issues: No urban area is a ‘clean sheet’ Ensuring common understanding ….. History of Council projects and promises Existing regeneration projects Aspirations that go beyond the NPF remit Significant Council land ownership – highways, long leases, Housing Revenue Account Conflicting approaches to engagement ‘project ‘ownership’ and delivery issues

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Learning: Challenges – why not faster delivery? Clarity on plan content Ensuring community engagement What is a land use plan ‘policy’ What is a space ‘management’ issue What is ‘policy’ vs ‘design guide’ What is an acceptable allocation What is a deliverable allocation Does the community really understand? Significant changes to the plan need another consultation….

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Learning: Challenges - how might it work if… There is no extant / up to date statutory Plan Where the NDP has got ahead of the Local Plan preparation Where Statutory Local Plan in place Where the local authority is the major land owner In each case…. What is the added value that a Neighbourhood Development Plan can offer How can the NPF contribute to the existing processes use the process to their advantage What does the local authority need to accept / initiate

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Learning: Opportunities…. for flexibility of response – no standard way to prepare a Neighbourhood Development Plan for new ways of partnership working with communities For greater corporate working with a neighbourhood focus on delivery There is – no standard response – no standard approach – no standard solution

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Sustainability Appraisal – what and when What – Scoping – Direction – Engagement with statutory bodies When Depends on form of Neighbourhood Plan Extent of un tested proposals Extent of consistency with Local Plan Need confirmed content to work with…..

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Basic Conditions – what and when What – NPPF compliant – Local Plan strategic policy general conformity – Statement of consultation When Early check with LPA on objectives and aspirations Contribution to content of Basic Conditions statements from early days Active support and engagement with LPA on product….. Need confirmed content to work with…..

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Needs Resources, resources, resources Funding and finance Skills base People Organisation Project Management Enthusiasm ……. and the right delivery mechanisms

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Conclusions Governance structures are an issue No urban context is a clean sheet It has to be voluntary…! Flexibility is the key……. Increasing delivery of development is the target…..

PAS London 22 nd April 2014 Sarah O’Driscoll Service Manager City Planning planning-bristol