1. The Local Authority Experience Suzanne Parkes Senior Planning Policy Officer PAS EVENT: THURSDAY 8 th SEPTEMBER 2011 UNDERSTANDING AND RESPONDING TO PLANNING REFORM

2. Presentation Outline The Bookham Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) Challenges Encountered / Ahead Key Learning Points Useful Advice & Guidance Final Thoughts Questions (and hopefully answers)!

3. The Bookham NDP 1 of 33 ‘second-wavers’ - Neighbourhood Planning Vanguards / Front-Runners ‘Mini-Land Allocations’ DPD Bookham Vision Project The Bid – commitment & communication First tasks: Establishing a Neighbourhood Forum Raising awareness Constitution Confirming the content Structure of the Group

4. The Bookham NDP Roles & Responsibilities: The Council Advice on procedure / process Attend group meetings Provide external sources of information Share LDF evidence base Provide map based information (GIS) Sustainability Appraisal & Equality Impact Assessment Comment on documentation Formal recognition – Council Ensure links with strategic planning framework Provide the link with County Council Examination & Referendum SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT!

5. The Bookham NDP Roles & Responsibilities: Community: Raising awareness Establishing the Forum Arranging meetings Drafting a constitution, timetable, structure Apply to be a Neighbourhood Forum Identifying the issues/options Evidence gathering Negotiating with landowners/developers Consultations Plan drafting Spending the £20k

6. “One of the principal objectives of neighbourhood planning is to increase the rate of growth of housing and economic development in England” (Neighbourhood Planning Impact Assessment, CLG 2011) Not A NIMBY Charter…. Challenges Encountered

7. How the NDP fits with the Mole Valley Local Development Framework? Can a Neighbourhood Forum / Neighbourhood Development Plan amend a Green Belt boundary? Are there really any ‘Front-Runners’? Desire for going beyond land use/spatial planning.

8. Challenges Encountered Deliverability – community ‘wish lists’. Pressure of being in the limelight and focus of attention. Achieving consensus. Resources (financial & officer time): referendum examination increasing interest from other communities.

9. Key Learning Points

10. Outcome focussed Locally driven – determination & commitment Creative Inclusive Open to a challenge & change Be Supportive (District & County - Officers & Members) It is a: Neighbourhood DEVELOPMENT Plan!!! Key Learning Points

11. Guidance & Advice Planning Advisory Service: Neighbourhood Planning on a Map FAQ Five action points for Neighbourhood Planning A Guide for Ward Councillors Links to other Sources of Info. Front-Runner Workshops Communities of Practice http://www.pas.gov.uk/pas/core/page.do?pageId=1089058

12. Guidance & Advice Community Blueprint – Winchester City Council Parish Profiles FAQ How to Run an Event Meet the Characters http://www.community-blueprint.co.uk/ Design Council / CABE Commission for Architecture & the Built Environment Toolkits Case Studies Research Discussion http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/our- work/CABE/Localism-and- planning/Neighbourhood-planning-toolkits- and-guidance/

13. Guidance & Advice Planning Officers Society: Advice Note - Getting started with Neighbourhood Planning (March 2011) http://www.planningofficers.org.uk/POS-Library/POS-Publications/ Town & County Planning Association: Your Place, Your Plan (March 2011) http://www.tcpa.org.uk/data/files/your_place_your_plan.pdf Levett-Therivel (Sustainability Consultants) Draft 'DIY SA': SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL (also known as strategic environmental assessment) OF NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS (April 2011) http://www.levett-therivel.co.uk/DIYSA.pdf

14. Final Thoughts…

15. Future Questions Suzanne Parkes Senior Planning Policy Officer Mole Valley District Council Email – suzanne.parkes@molevalley.gov.uksuzanne.parkes@molevalley.gov.uk Telephone – 01306 879144 Website – www.molevalley.gov.uk/ldfwww.molevalley.gov.uk/ldf Planning Policy Team Email – LDF@molevalley.gov.ukLDF@molevalley.gov.uk