1. Neighbourhood Planning
Stella Scrivener

2. Planning Aid – Engaging Communities in Planning
Neighbourhood Planning - Twineham 28/9/13
Planning Aid – Engaging Communities in Planning
Planning Aid provide free, independent, professional planning advice to people who do not have the means to pay professional fees
provide support and training to local communities to influence and contribute to planning strategy, policy and decision making at all levels
promote and help deliver better practices in community engagement in a range of organisations
improve skills in planning and community engagement
Part of the Royal Town Planning Institute
Professional body for chartered planners in the UK
Resources secured from Government’s Supporting Communities and Neighbourhoods in Planning Fund
Planning Aid England - Independent Charity

3. Neighbourhood Planning
“When people know that they will get proper support to cope with the demands of new development; when they have a proper say over what new homes will look like; and when they can influence where those homes go, they have reasons to say “yes” to growth.”
Greg Clark (November 2010)

4. Neighbourhood Planning
Neighbourhood Planning - Twineham 28/9/13
Neighbourhood Planning
Neighbourhood planning is a key part of the Localism Act. It gives local communities greater power to shape development by having a direct role in the development of planning policies at a local level. Within Surrey Heath, neighbourhood planning can be undertaken by Parish Councils or Neighbourhood Forums, with Surrey Heath Borough Council providing assistance and making necessary decisions at key stages.
Planning Aid England - Independent Charity

5. Neighbourhood Planning - Twineham 28/9/13
Neighbourhood Plans
A plan allows the local community to create a vision and planning policies for the use and development of land in a neighbourhood. For example, where new homes and businesses can be built and what they should look like. Neighbourhood Development Plans can be general or more detailed, depending on what is important to local people. They must however, be in conformity with the strategic policies in the Council's adopted Core Strategy and should not be used to promote a lower level of development.
Planning Aid England - Independent Charity

6. Part of the Planning System
Neighbourhood Planning - Twineham 28/9/13
Part of the Planning System
National Government documents
Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) 2004 & 2008 Acts
Secondary legislation (Regulations & Orders)
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
Saved Policies of the Adopted Local Plan
2000
Core Strategy 2012
Community Infrastructure Levy Policy
Consultation closed 4th November
Produced by
Surrey Heath
Produced by
Chobham
Neighbourhood Plans
Planning Aid England - Independent Charity

7. Meeting the basic conditions
have regard to national policies
ensure they contribute towards sustainable development
be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the local plan (Council will advise on this)
be compatible with EU obligations (SEA where relevant, human rights et al)
have regard to desirability of preserving the settings of listed building(s)
have regard to desirability of preserving the character and appearance of any conservation area(s)

8. Preparing your plan - overview
Neighbourhood Planning - Twineham 28/9/13
Preparing your plan - overview NP
Community
Referendum
Independent Check
Preparing your Plan
Agreeing The Neighbourhood 5 1 2 3 4
NP currently at stage 2.
Once draft plan is prepared will need to consult for minimum of 6 weeks (including with statutory consultees) and make changes as necessary
Then submit your plan to the council (including Consultation Statement and Basic Conditions statement)
Council will publicise the plan for 6 weeks and appoint an independent examiner with your agreement
Stage 3 – examiner considers whether the plan meets the basic conditions
Stage 4 – “should Mid Sussex District Council use West Hoathly Neighbourhood Plan in the making of planning decisions?”
Stage 5 – if over 50% of those voting, vote YES, neighbourhood plan will be put into action
Planning Aid England - Independent Charity

9. Preparing your Neighbourhood Plan
Neighbourhood Planning - Twineham 28/9/13
Preparing your Neighbourhood Plan
Plan Making
A plan can be a single policy or a hundred policies
It must be in line with the strategic policies of the Local Plan
It is essential to establish strong working relationship with LPA
It is essential that there is wide and inclusive community engagement
Planning Aid England - Independent Charity

10. The next steps Identify key issues from engagement
Create a Vision and Objectives
Explore Options
– both policies and projects
Gather evidence ‘the facts’
Engage further – interactive, questionnaires,
Remember ‘live, work and do business’, ‘developers and landowners.
Produce draft policies
– intentions, justifications and policies.

11. The Referendum
“Do you want Surrey Heath Borough Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Chobham to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?.”
The Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) regulations 2012 Schedule 1

12. Neighbourhood Planning - Twineham 28/9/13
Referendums to date…
Upper Eden – 33% turnout , 90% voted Yes
Exeter St James – 21% turnout, 92% voted Yes
Thame – 40% turnout, 76% voted Yes
Tattenhall – 52% turnout, 96% voted Yes
No minimum turnout
Referendum result is binding on local authorities (some exclusions apply e.g. change to EU legislation).
Planning Aid England - Independent Charity

13. Neighbourhood Planning - Twineham 28/9/13
1st Neighbourhood Plan successfully passed independent examination
Referendum in March
Covers 17 Parish Councils
Contains 6 policies including; affordable housing, housing on farms for local people, homes for older people, and housing density
Planning Aid England - Independent Charity

14. 2nd Neighbourhood Plan successfully passed independent examination
Referendum in May
Covers St James ward approx. 2,500 households
Contains 25 policies including; protecting green space, student accommodation, creation of community hub and restricting Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

15. Examined in Feb 2013
Market Town in South Oxfordshire
Covers approx. 5,000 households
Contains 53 policies including; site allocations for housing and employment, also policies on retail, design, environment, heritage and views to the countryside

16. Useful links: Neighbourhood Planning Roadmap
Neighbourhood Planning hints, tips and resources
Neighbourhood Plans ready for examination