The Localism Bill The Localism Bill and the new approach to planning in West Dorset Robert Gould Leader, WDDC South West Housing Initiative 14 th October 2011

2004 system National Planning Policy Statements Regional Spatial Strategies –Prepared by region, modified and adopted by Secretary of State Local Development Frameworks –Local Development Scheme –Statement of Community Involvement –Core Strategy –Site Allocations / Development Management Policies –Other ‘development plan documents’ and ‘supplementary plan documents’

2004 Planning System Too target driven – top down Too complex & unintelligible Too prescriptive – binding reports Too slow Communities feel that planning is “being done to them” – they have little influence

A new approach Decentralisation and localism –local communities more in control Rebalancing system in favour of sustainable development –Pro-growth - supporting communities who want development Cutting red tape –Simpler, quicker, cheaper and less bureaucratic

National level Revised and streamlined national planning policy framework –Draft published this summer –Covering “key principles” –To be read cover-to-cover in 2 hours –Consultation closes on 17 October No more regional strategies or county-level structure plans Draft Regulations on neighbourhood planning anticipated shortly

Incentives New Homes Bonus from April 2011 –Government match the additional council tax raised for 6 years –Affordable homes have extra bonus (over £200k over the 6 years) –Meaningful proportion spent locally Business Rates –councils to keep a share of the growth in business rates in their area Community Infrastructure Levy –Meaningful proportion spent locally

Local Plans District level, long term (15years+) Consistent with national planning policy framework Must include strategic priorities, including broad locations for growth Some detail is also needed –Site specifics, quality of development... –[NPPF] presumption in favour of sustainable development where the plan is absent, silent, indeterminate or where policies are out of date.

Local Plans Aspirational but realistic Justified by local evidence (eg housing numbers) Greater flexibility on form and content Early and meaningful engagement and collaboration with local people is essential

Neighbourhood Plans Prepared by local communities, but will be part of the development plan Will be independently checked –in line with strategic policies of district plan, national planning policy framework and EU legislation Cannot cover strategic issues –policies on minerals / waste and major infrastructure, including developer contributions –Minimum level of growth

What can they cover? Its up to you… –Location of development / development boundaries / criteria –A new housing / employment site –What infrastructure you hope to fund –Design standards –Permitted development rights (through a neighbourhood development order) (subject to the tests)

What about parish plans? Neighbourhood plan is about planning policy, parish planning is more about actions / delivery. Processes are complementary – they help: –Bring different groups together –Identify priorities and provide an evidence base –Identify those who can help, locally and at different levels

Our Front Runners Central Government invited councils to ‘bid’ for an opportunity to try out the new system before it is finalised In West Dorset: –Cerne (first wave) –Sherborne (third wave) Exciting opportunity to influence national legislation and guidance, and to shape the future of the area The Localism Bill should come into force April 2012

Conclusions Localism Bill should give communities a greater voice, but its not about preventing development New style local plans prepared with active public involvement from the start is key to success Opportunities to make decisions locally but need to be evidence based Piloting the new system is huge opportunity for us to influence it Localism Bill into effect in April 2012