Planning Explained Module 4 – Engaging with Neighbourhood Planning

Introduction This module is designed to provide you with an understanding of the Neighbourhood Plan making process and how you can get involved. It is the fourth module of four: 1.Introduction and Role & Purpose of Planning 2.Engaging in the Local Plan Process 3.How to Respond to Planning Applications 4.Engaging with Neighbourhood Planning

Outline of the Module Session A – Introduction to Neighbourhood Plans Session B – Outline steps for preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Session C – Your Neighbourhood Plan – identifying objectives and options Session D – Your Neighbourhood Plan – writing and testing policies

Session / Presentation A - Introduction to Neighbourhood Planning

Key Components of Planning European Law English Planning Law and Regulations National Planning Policy Framework The Development Plan: Local Plan Neighbourhood Plans Sustainable Community Strategy Community Involvement Enforcement Development Management Delivery Monitor

What is a Neighbourhood Plan? A Neighbourhood Plan is a new way of helping local communities to influence the planning of the area in which they live and work. It can be used to: Develop a shared vision for your neighbourhood. Choose where new homes, shops, offices and other development should be built. Identify and protect important local green spaces. Influence what new buildings should look like.

What are Neighbourhood Plans? Neighbourhood Plans are part of the Development Plan (with the Local Plan) - planning applications need to be in line with the Development Plan otherwise they are unlikely to receive permission

Neighbourhood Development Orders (NDOs) An additional means of delivering development in your area (separate from a NP) Can either be used as an alternative to or in accordance with a NP Can be used to deliver a specific community development objective more quickly

Who can prepare a Neighbourhood Plan? Town and Parish Councils Neighbourhood Forums

The role of the Local Planning Authority Assistance and advice Provides information or evidence to help inform your Neighbourhood Plan Checks your Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared correctly Arranges an ‘examination’ Organises a local referendum Adopts your Neighbourhood Plan as part of the Development Plan

Your Neighbourhood Plan can: Decide where and what type of development should happen in the neighbourhood. Promote more development than is set out in the Local Plan. Include policies that take precedence over the Local Plan (provided they don’t conflict with its strategic priorities).

Your Neighbourhood Plan can’t: Conflict with the strategic policies in the Local Plan prepared by the local planning authority. Be used to prevent development that is included in the Local Plan. Be prepared by a body other than a parish or town council or a neighbourhood forum.

What a Neigbourhood Plan might contain It can be as broad or as narrow as you like, but it must be primarily about the use and development of land and buildings. Your Neighbourhood Plan might contain policies about – the development of affordable housing, provision for businesses to set up or expand, community facilities, design of buildings …. It’s up to you!

Other neighbourhood planning tools Neighbourhood Development Orders (as covered) Community Right to Build

Group Exercise Identifying the issues What do you want your Neighbourhood Plan to address?

Session / Presentation B – Outline steps for preparing a Neighbourhood Plan

An 8-step guide to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Step 1 Getting started

An 8-step guide to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Step 2 Identifying the issues

An 8-step guide to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Step 3 Develop a vision and objectives

An 8-step guide to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Step 4 Generate options

An 8-step guide to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Step 5 Draft your Neighbourhood Plan

An 8-step guide to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Step 6 Consultation and submission

An 8-step guide to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Step 7 Independent examination

An 8-step guide to preparing a Neighbourhood Plan Step 8 Referendum and adoption

Sustainability Appraisal Identify the key economic, social and environmental issues 1. Getting started 2. Identifying the issues 3. Develop a Vision and Objectives Identify key National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan policy objectives 4. Generate options Develop the Sustainability Framework (objectives and criteria) 5. Draft your Neighbourhood Plan Appraise the options using the Sustainability Framework 6. Consultation and submission Prepare the Sustainability Appraisal Report 7. Independent examination Appraise the options using the Sustainability Framework 8. Referendum and adoption Appraise the draft policies using the Sustainability Framework

Group Exercise Defining a Vision for your Neighbourhood Plan Shout it out!

Your Neighbourhood Vision Fill the gaps! In 20 years’ time___________ will be a _________and _____________area. It will value_________ and _________, and provide people with _______________. It will be a __________________place, where everyone can _________and ________.

Session / Presentation C – Your Neighbourhood Plan – objectives and options

Your Neighbourhood Plan Step 3: Develop a vision and objectives Step 4: Generate options Thinking about alternative ways of achieving your vision and objectives.

The local context Add details of the local area you are considering Include relevant local plan policies Include a relevant parish plan policy or an extract from the community strategy

Group Exercise Identify three things that need to be done to deliver your Vision – these are your objectives Choosing one objective, think of some alternative ways of achieving the objective – these are your options

Group Exercise Sustainability Issues Environment Economy Society / Community

Group Exercise Feedback As part of this feedback the task is to agree preferred options (see also slide 29).

Session / Presentation D – Your Neighbourhood Plan – writing and testing policies

Step 5: Draft your Neighbourhood Plan Step 5: writing and testing policies What has led up to this step?

Writing and testing policies What are policies? Types of policy

Preferred Options Re-cap on the preferred options identified in Session C

Sustainability Issues Re-cap and list the key sustainability issues from previous session

Draft Sustainability Matrix Key Sustainability Issue Potential impact of policy on Sustainability Issue Choose from: + = Positive impact - = Negative Impact ? = Uncertain Impact Why do you think it will have that impact? [add from Session C exercise] e.g. Protecting the Local Nature Reserve or Impacting on Wildlife e.g. - (Negative Impact) e.g. The policy proposes a new community centre and library. It could have a negative impact on the Local nature Reserve because the proposed site is next to the nature reserve. [add from Session C exercise]

Group Exercise Choose one of the preferred options Write a policy (max 5 lines) Test your policy (using the Sustainability Matrix)

Group Exercise Feedback time! Next steps