#neighbourhoodplanning Some Golden Rules Making Neighbourhood Planning Work for Your Community

43% ApplicationDesignationDraft Plan Examination ReferendumMADE Neighbourhood Planning From the Ground Up Local Authorities Applications Designated 55% There are 326 local planning authorities (not including county councils) #NP100

This data was informally gathered from internet monitoring and is being constantly updated

First Golden Rule PLAN POSITIVELY

NPPF Planning must be a creative exercise in finding ways to enhance and improve the places in which we live our lives… Neighbourhoods should plan positively to support local development, shaping and directing development in their area… Every effort should be made objectively to identify and then meet the housing, business and other development needs of an area, and respond positively to wider opportunities for growth… Neighbourhood plans should not promote less development than set out in the Local Plan…

“I only know two English neighbourhoods thoroughly, and in each, within a circle of five miles, there is enough of interest and beauty to last a reasonable man his life. I believe this to be the case almost throughout the country, but each has a special attraction, and none can be richer than the one I am speaking of and going to introduce to you particularly…” Tom Brown’s Schooldays

Thame VISION Thame must maintain its character as a real market town Continue to feel ‘compact’ Continue to have a close relationship with open countryside around it Retain its markets Continue to act as a centre for the surrounding area, not just residents Remain attractive to residents and visitors

Thame “The ten-word Vision Statement is clear, short and sharp. It provides a good introduction, from which the more detailed objectives, and then the policies to support and deliver the vision, naturally flow.” Report of the Independent Examiner

Thame POLICIES Land allocated for 775 new homes: seven sites and three reserve sites. Nine other policies on integration of windfall sites, design, provision of new facilities, etc. Other policies on Working and Shopping; Getting Around; Community, Leisure and Well Being; Environment, Sustainability and Design Quality But remember: Upper Eden contains seven policies in total. Neighbourhood planning is a flexible tool.

“Don’t start unless you have a clear idea of why you need a neighbourhood plan and you have a positive goal in mind.” Jo Hawkins, Chairman

Second Golden Rule PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES

WHOSE SHOES? THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Does this plan meet the basic conditions?

…regard to national policies… …general conformity with strategic policies… …contribute to sustainable development… …compatible with EU obligations…

The plan you submit for publicity and examination must be accompanied by a ‘basic conditions statement’ explaining how the plan meets the requirements. You can find the basic conditions at Page 38, Locality Roadmap, or Or Schedule 10, Paragraph 8, Localism Act

WHOSE SHOES? THE VOTER The referendum question Do you want Thereborough District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for the Whereford area to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?

90% in favour 34% turnout 92% in favour 21% turnout 76% in favour 40% turnout YES YES YES

WHOSE SHOES? THE DECISION MAKER

WHOSE SHOES? THE DEVELOPER

Pursuing sustainable development requires careful attention to viability and costs in plan-making and decision-taking. Plans should be deliverable. Therefore, the sites and the scale of development identified in the plan should not be subject to such a scale of obligations and policy burdens that their ability to be developed viably is threatened. To ensure viability, the costs of any requirements likely to be applied to development, such as requirements for affordable housing, standards, infrastructure contributions or other requirements should, when taking account of the normal cost of development and mitigation, provide competitive returns to a willing land owner and willing developer to enable the development to be deliverable. National Planning Policy Framework

Third Golden Rule TO GET A PLAN… …GET A PLAN

Regulations Timescale 6 weeks 28 working days (56 for a business referendum) Designation of neighbourhood area/forum Pre-submission consultation Referendum Publicity period Examination