1. www.torbay.gov.uk Local Growth: realising every place’s potential A briefing on the headlines (LDF/BP/2010/14)

2. This briefing… Provides a broad overview of planning related elements of ‘Local Growth’ publication Identifies some implications for Torbay Is in bite size chunks More detail in new / impending publications e.g. New Homes Bonus; Community Infrastructure Levy

3. Introduction ‘Local Growth’ published 28 October 2010, by BIS. Covers range of big issues; precursor to Localism Bill (expected 18 – 22 Nov) Focus: 1.an end to top down initiatives 2.businesses and communities more in charge of their own destinies 3.achieving the ‘right kind of growth and recovery’ 4.incentives to support local growth and change

4. Why you should be interested…. Marks significant changes ahead, specifically in the way the Council carries out its business (e.g. planning) Presents opportunities for Torbay and its communities to determine their futures. New funding streams to deliver growth, but not a lot of new money! Localism is not the same as nimbyism – no change / growth is not an option.

5. Localism Bill Expected soon (promised 18 – 22 Nov 2010!!) Won’t contain the detail / answers people expecting = opportunity to define those locally. Not legislation until 2012, but includes: - Abolish RSS – but still ‘alive’ following High Court decision - Local decision making on housing - Local Plan making and development management - Local Economic Partnerships - Local Housing Trusts - Elected Mayors

6. Local Authority role re growth Clear framework for growth through community leadership and planning – moving from imposition to involvement Ensuring land supply for businesses and housing Using land assets to lever in private sector funding (such as LABV) Support delivery of infrastructure High quality service provision e.g. schools and transport Investment to increase attractiveness of area Improve health, well-being and access to work of local population

7. National Planning Policy Fundamentally reform and streamline Simple national planning framework

8. Strategic plan making Local Authorities (via Local Plans – ‘new’ style LDFs) to lead on - defining priorities and outcomes; - strategic framework for infrastructure; - economic growth requirements - development management policies to help define sustainable development (esp. important in absence of neighbourhood plans Within a streamlined and simplified process, so communities better able to understand and influence strategic plans New duty for Local Authorities, public and private bodies (e.g. infrastructure providers) to co-operate on plan making Planning Inspectorate – no right to re-write plans

9. Neighbourhood plan making No clear definition of ‘neighbourhood’, but town and parish councils to lead. Funding available from April 2011 Equivalent to Area Action Plans and Site Allocations DPD. Incentives for communities to support growth – changing culture of planning so that default position is pro-development. No growth = no money Benefits of growth to be much clearer to communities. These plans must respect / deliver on strategic priorities e.g. housing, transport etc. Where no neighbourhood plan, policies in Core Strategy will help define sustainable development. Potential early wins for Torbay – e.g. Brixham Town Plan Tripartite approach needed success: landowners; community (resi & business) and local authority Must be an informed, inclusive and mature debate at a local level

10. Development Management Local Plan to remain as cornerstone Planning applications to ‘flow from’ neighbourhood plan. Community support increasingly important Vital to frontload planning application with community involvement Presumption in favour of sustainable development Unlawful to refuse application if from Local Housing Trust, or conforms with national policy and Community Infrastructure Levy paid.

11. Community Right-to-Build Small scale development, without need for planning permission. Simplified neighbourhood planning process Enables rapid response to changing needs

12. Local Housing Trust (LHT) No specific application needed Development cannot exceed 10% of settlement size 70% of local support needed

13. Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) Provide vision and strategic leadership Take integrated approach to growth and infrastructure delivery Set out investment priorities Lead on RGF bids Ensuring businesses involved in development proposals Consider strategic planning applications Support strategic housing delivery e.g through pooling and aligning funding streams LEPs to work across political boundaries e.g on strategic planning and, possibly, other planning related activities

14. New Homes Bonus Communities and Local Authorities benefit from growth Pays local authorities national average rate of council tax for 6 years on new dwellings created (net) or empty homes back in use. Split of spend not defined. Limited new funding (£446M), covering 3 of the 6 years, rest taken from formula grant (eating in to it by 4%) Incentive to build larger homes; less incentive for small flats. Affordable homes gain £350 per year bonus (2010/11 target of 112 affordable homes = £39,200) Torbay: @ 278 completions p.a. = £335K in year 1 - £2M in year 6; @ 500 completions p.a. = £335K in year 1 - £3.5M in year 6 Sufficient to incentivise growth?

15. Tax Increment Finance (TIF) New borrowing powers for councils. New legislation required first. Allowing borrowing against future uplift in business rates Fund infrastructure and other capital projects Consultation on-going

16. Regional Growth Fund £1.4B available nationally, over 3 years Minimum threshold of £1M for bids Bids need to show private sector monies levered in and jobs growth 1 st round of bidding closes in Jan 2011 Bids must be private sector lead Not aimed at ‘pet projects’

17. Community Infrastructure Levy Legislation already in place Tariff based approach to raising funds from development(s) for necessary infrastructure S106 faded out (by 2014) - only relate to on-site issues and affordable housing Levy rates to be set out in Local Plan, giving more certainty upfront Will cover all but smallest developments Torbay: Needs to assess infrastructure costs; divide by development levels / type; provides levy amount per ‘roof’; assess against development viability. Other Councils: £8K - £15K per house Share of proceeds to be invested in local community

18. Big messages Fundamental change to way Council works Cultural change in relationship between Council and communities Need to be less risk averse – from ‘compliance’ to ‘can do’, without ‘challenge’ Very important role for trusted community champions / leaders Torbay can’t afford long transition period – close eyes and go for it (having done quick risk assessment!)