Trevor Warrick Spatial Policy and Implementation Manager Neighbourhood Planning Trevor Warrick Spatial Policy and Implementation Manager

Localism: Key Themes Legislation in place Localism Act (Nov 2011) Neighbourhood Planning Regs (Apr and Aug 2012) National policy changes Streamlined national policy (NPPF and PPG) Extended permitted development rights More control (and powers) for local communities Targets set local plan (not nationally or regionally) Neighbourhood plans Neighbourhood development orders Community rights (including right to build orders) Incentives to bring forward development Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) New Homes Bonus New powers for communities to act (neighbourhood plans, neighbourhood development orders and community right to build orders to name but a few) Plus 25% of CIL funding from new development will be given direct to the parish / town council (without a NP, this is reduced to 15% and capped, with just a NDO the 25% would apply just to the NDO site)

Neighbourhood Plans What are they? Statutory planning policy documents (higher status than village design statements or parish plans) Form part of the development plan (with the local plan) Used to determine planning applications Complementary to parish plans, which cover a wider range of issues Prepared by local communities (town / parish council or neighbourhood forum) Voluntary, not compulsory (which tend to be focused on community actions and service provision)

What can they achieve? Should address local issues and can: Be site-specific or topic-based Allocate land for development Amend defined development boundaries Set new or change existing policies Provide design / character guidance Designate Local Green Spaces Identify where CIL will be spent Plus 25% of CIL funding from new development will be given direct to the parish / town council (without a NP, this is reduced to 15% and capped, with just a NDO the 25% would apply just to the NDO site)

Neighbourhood Development Orders Do away with the need for planning permission – defines what is ‘permitted development’ Can grant outline or detailed planning permission Prepared by local communities (town / parish councils or a neighbourhood forum) Subject to examination and referendum (which tend to be focused on community actions and service provision)

How are they prepared? 1 Parish Council initiates process the District Council must consult on and agree the Neighbourhood Area Local community develops the NP District Council has duty to support Consultation for a minimum of 6 weeks – summarise and address concerns Neighbourhood Plan submitted and publicised for comment (for 8 weeks) Independent examination Local referendum - if a majority (51% of those that vote) are in favour, the NP is ‘made’ 2 3 4 5 6

Succeeding at Examination A NP must meet four ‘basic conditions’ to have regard to national policy (NPPF and PPG) to be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan (the adopted local plan) to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development to be compatible with EU and human rights obligations. Strategic Environmental Assessment, or in the case of a development order Environmental Impact Assessment, may be needed The Planning and Compensation Act 2004 requires that decisions made should be in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Are the local plan policies broadly right for your area?

West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Joint Local Plan “To be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan (the adopted local plan).” Progress Consultation started: Autumn 2011 Consultation on pre-submission draft: June/July 2012 Submitted for examination: June 2013 Further consultation on changes: Aug/Oct 2013 Exploratory Meeting: January 2014 Plan suspended for 6 months for additional work on housing numbers Examination hearings: Nov/Dec 2014 Consultation on modifications: Spring 2015 Adoption: Autumn 2015 The Planning and Compensation Act 2004 requires that decisions made should be in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Are the local plan policies broadly right for your area?

West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland Joint Local Plan In the New Local Plan Litton Cheney, which is in the Dorset AONB, has: No development allocations No defined development boundary (DDB). Outside DDBs development is ‘strictly controlled’ but policy may permit certain developments including: Agricultural, forestry or horticulture Alterations and extensions to existing buildings New employment, tourism, educational / training, recreational or leisure developments Rural exception affordable housing and rural workers housing The re-use of rural buildings for market housing Sites for Gypsies and Travellers Renewable energy or other utility infrastructure Local facilities appropriate to a rural area.

Gathering Evidence Relevant and up-to-date facts and figures are needed to support development proposals and to show how it meets community needs. Examples of evidence that may be needed include: The structure of the local community Future growth requirements Issues that the community considers need to be addressed Some issues may have a ‘spatial’ element requiring map-based evidence and potentially site-based ‘allocations’ The Planning and Compensation Act 2004 requires that decisions made should be in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Are the local plan policies broadly right for your area?

Managing the Project Be organised! The amount of work will depend on the size and complexity of the NP. The working group needs to be flexible and large enough You need a clear remit and to be transparent and open about decisions You will need different skill sets, including project management, communication and consultation planning, research and analysis, report writing You need to be clear on who does what, when and how You will also need other resources such as venue hire, printing, websites etc.  The Planning and Compensation Act 2004 requires that decisions made should be in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Are the local plan policies broadly right for your area?

Available Support Central Government funding via Locality Grant payments: up to £8,000 per neighbourhood area to contribute to costs (April 2015) Direct support: up to a further £6,000 in grant or specific packages for groups facing more complex issues Grants and support are also available for groups wanting to prepare a Community Right to Build Order Local Planning Authority Planning Link Officer - advice, specialist officers Examination & Referendum Landowners / Developers Development expertise, site surveys, financial viability, publicity material etc.

Progress on Neighbourhood Planning NPs Made Cerne Valley: first NP in Dorset – 8 January 2015 NPs in progress (areas designated / proposed) Askerswell Bridport area Buckland Newton Cam Vale (NDO for Longburton Depot) Charmouth Holwell Loders Maiden Newton and Frome Vauchurch Piddle Valley Portland Puddletown

Links National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF): http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/themes/planning-guidance/assets/NPPF.pdf Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) Neighbourhood Planning Section: http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/neighbourhood-planning/ West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland Neighbourhood Planning Page: https://www.dorsetforyou.com/neighbourhoodplanning/west/weymouth Cerne Valley Neighbourhood Plan Page: http://www.cernevalley.org/ Locality Main Page: http://locality.org.uk/

Contact Details Trevor Warrick Spatial Policy and Implementation Manager t.warrick@westdorset-weymouth.gov.uk 01305 252302