1. Neighbourhood Planning Miles Thompson Shared Planning Policy Manager South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils 5.3.1012

2. 2 What is Neighbourhood Planning? Neighbourhood planning is a way for communities to decide the future of the places where they live and work. They will be able to: choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built have their say on what those new buildings should look like.

3. 3 Legislation Localism Act – amends the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Provisions for neighbourhood planning are set out in Schedules 9,10,11 of the Localism Act 2011) Neighbourhood Planning Regulations – to be enacted 6 April 2012 (Referendum regulations will not be published until the Autumn)

4. Defining the neighbourhood Parish councils or neighbourhood forums apply to the local planning authority to set: relevant body neighbourhood area or business area - Neighbourhood areas cannot overlap. - Parish councils can prepare a plan jointly, one parish will act as the lead body. - Local Planning Authorities publicise application for 6 weeks, consider responses, approve applications. - Parish councils or neighbourhood forums then have 5 years to prepare a plan. 4

5. 5 Early stages – What will the plan contain? Plan must conform with: National policy Local strategic policy - communities cannot use neighbourhood planning to block the building of new homes and businesses Any other relevant law e.g. EU law. Topic areas could include: Housing sites – and the type, design and mix of homes Employment sites Retail sites Infrastructure needs and sites Development Management policies.

6. 6 Early stages – Evidence gathering Identify what you need to know: can you collect information yourselves? does the district council already hold information and relevant studies you can use? do you need to commission some new work? - resolve matters like declarations of interest and constitution if involving a neighbourhood plan group - set a budget – how will work be funded, how much money is likely to be available? Set your vision and objectives for plan an the period of the plan.

7. 7 Early stages – Community Involvement Prepare a consultation plan - identify how and when you will involve the community: identify consultation stages who will you consult? – collect contact details (statutory consultees in regs) how will you keep the community informed about progress and ideas? how will you consult the community at each stage consider the referendum area with the district council, (you may wish to use this as your consultation area).

8. 8 Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Neighbourhood plans will need a sustainability appraisal: At the outset prepare a sustainability scoping report (can you use and adapt the core strategy scoping report? ) Prepare a SA comparing the effects of all reasonable alternatives. The SA needs to be consulted on at each formal publication stage Identify whether you need to prepare an Appropriate Assessment under the Habitat Regulations.

9. 9 Producing and refining the plan - Producing a plan is an iterative process, there may need to be number of events to keep the community informed and gather their views. - Contact statutory consultees early as they may take time to respond and alternatives may need to be explored. - Keep local planning authority informed about your process and activities (use them for help and advice).

10. Pre-submission Consultation – Reg 15 When your final plan is ready you will need to undertake a pre-submission consultation: Formal consultation for 6 weeks inviting comments on your plan Prepare response schedule setting out a summary of comments received and how you have responded to them Amend plan if necessary If the plan has changed significantly do you need a second pre-submission consultation?

11. 11 Submission You will submit the plan to the local planning authority, submission documents include: the plan (including a plan and background evidence) a statement of how the plan meets the legal requirements of the plan making process Sustainability Appraisal Appropriate Assessment (if required) Consultation statement (setting out who was consulted, how they were consulted, a summary of issues raised and how these have been addressed)

12. Submission publicity The local planning authority must: publicise the submitted plan for 6 weeks check the plan is in general conformity with national policy and local strategic policy arrange an examination 12

13. 13 Examination An independent examiner will check that the final plan meets the right basic standards: If it does not, the examiner will recommend changes. The local planning authority will decide whether to make those changes. If the changes are significant, you may decide to re-consult the local community.

14. Examination The examiner checks if the plan is: –Positively prepared –Justified - supported by suitable evidence –Effective – will it achieve what it sets out to do –Consistent national policy –Consistent with local strategic policy. 14

15. 15 Referendum The community has the final say on whether a plan comes into force. Once the examiner has agreed the plan is sound the district council will hold a referendum. The referendum area (set by the examiner and Local Planning Authority) may include areas beyond the area of the plan. More than 50% of those who vote must be in favour of the plan for it to be approved. Referendum regulations will not be published until Autumn 2012.

16. 16 Questions Questions?