The evidence base for your Neighbourhood Plan Clive Keble MRTPI Planning Aid England Advisor

Scope of workshop 2 Introduction – 5 minutes What do we mean by evidence? – 10 minutes What do we mean when we say that evidence should be “Proportionate”? – 5 minutes What evidence will you need – Exercise and discussion? – 20 minutes Conclusions and questions – 5 minutes Do Remember - Any policy included in a Neighbourhood Plan has to be justified with a robust evidence base.

A reminder – the purpose of a Neighbourhood Plan 1.Increase local influence on Planning matters 2.To plan positively to support local development and shaping and directing this development - outside strategic elements of the Local Plan 3.Together with the Local Plan, allow for planning decisions to be made with a high degree of predictability and efficiency. Good evidence is the key to success! 3

A reminder – developing robust policies 4 NP Policy Strategic policy Evidence National Policy

What do we mean by evidence? Community engagement Published statistics (e.g. Census) Bespoke surveys (e.g. housing need) Existing policies (coverage and gaps) 5

What is “Proportionate”? NPPF – on Local Plans, but applies equally to NPs Using a proportionate evidence base Para. 158 “…Each LPA should ensure that the Local Plan is based on adequate, up-to-date and relevant evidence about the economic, social and environmental characteristics and prospects of the area. LPAs should ensure that assessments of and strategies for housing, employment and other uses are integrated, and that they take full account of relevant market and economic signals.” (My highlighting). You may collect evidence to identify issues, but if not all the issues are suitable for inclusion in an NP, then you do not need the evidence (e.g. some health stats., anti-social behaviour) 6

Your evidence – community engagement What local people think about the area is important. Your Vision & Objectives can be derived from this and should link clearly to the relevant policies. However, you need to be clear about what planning and non-planning matters are – the latter will have to be dealt with through other means. You may be able to have formal planning policies and some non planning actions/aspirations. 7

The evidence you need – Published Stats. These can tell you about population, household composition, employment, health & deprivation. Your Issues, Options, Vision & Objectives can be derived from this and should link clearly to policies. You can influence e.g. (associated with new development); - type & tenure of housing, - provision of small units, working from home, - need for health facilities and open spaces - need for education and community facilities See 2011 Census (Neighbourhood Statistics), Index of Multiple Deprivation & Health Statistics 8

The evidence you need – Bespoke surveys If there seem to be issues, based on opinions, look at; A local housing needs survey A local shopping survey – uses, vacant units etc., A local landscape survey – views, valued sites etc., Use and quality of open spaces Traffic surveys Demand surveys, e.g. for workshops etc., Townscape and local heritage features You may need help on these, but often they can be done by (and are better for it) by local people. 9

The evidence you need – Existing Policies You do need not to duplicate what is already covered by the Local Plan or in transport plans & housing strategies Work with the local authorities to review what is already in place and identify any gaps for the NP to cover. Look at other investment plans – NHS, Schools, Local Enterprise Partnerships 10

Don’t re-invent the wheel! Has the local authority produced an area profile? What does the existing Local Plan say? Do you have material from a Village Plan? Any recent lottery/funding bids with evidence in? Contact the County Councils and Wildlife Trusts for landscape, wildlife and archaeological information Contact the LEPs and Chambers of Commerce for business information 11

Group Exercise What evidence do you need and where will you get it from? 12

Theme Your Evidence Population and Housing Interactive exercise – work through with the group to complete this Character and Setting Wildlife and Nature Sites Flood Prevention Health Care Education Community Facilities Employment Transport Commitments 13

Evidence at the Top 14 Evidence gathering Community engagement Research and fact finding Identify issues and options Create vision Objective Policies and proposals Reasoned justification Policies and proposals

A reminder – good policies: Set out clear criteria to indicate how a policy is applied to various circumstances Have clearly defined supporting text - justification Supported by robust evidence, not just local opinion Avoid technical planning terms and jargon unless necessary 15

Try to avoid… Covering every eventuality Duplicating other planning documents Unsupported statements Your NP should be evidence based, locally relevant, proportionate and targeted. 16

Thank you - any questions or comments? Clive Keble National Advice Line: Web: 17