Stroud District Local Plan Update on Progress Brimscombe and Thrupp 07 March 2015

Background – where are we? (1) Inspector asked Council in June 2014 to do further work:  Re-assessment of housing and employment needs  Technical evidence (flood risk, waste water, highways & traffic, infrastructure)  Agreement with Environment Agency, Highways Agency, Natural England

Background – where are we? (2)  Council undertakes further work July- November 2014  Report to Council 9 December 2014  Inspector asked to reopen examination December 2014  Hearing session postponed (January 2015)  Consultation on Proposed Changes (February – March 2015)

Don’t forget to respond by 25 March What is the Council consulting on?  Changes to allocated sites:  New West of Stonehouse allocation  Increase of housing in Stroud Valleys  New Berkeley Centre policy  Protecting Severn Estuary at Sharpness  More detailed policies on flood risk; ecology; heritage; transport

Consultation on Proposed Changes Why consult now?  So Inspector can consider objections at future hearing sessions Why isn’t the Council consulting on housing numbers now?  The Inspector has asked the Council to do further work  Consultation will take place later in the examination process once Inspector happy that evidence is robust  Examination process is run by Inspector

Timetable to adoption  Council does further work (February-March)  Stage 1 hearing sessions May 2015  Inspector decides if Local Plan can progress  Stage 2 hearing sessions May/June 2015  Consultation on main modifications July – August 2015  Inspector’s Report October/November 2015  Adoption by Council December 2015

Any Questions

Neighbourhood Planning Brimscombe and Thrupp 07 March 2015

 Neighbourhood Plans – set planning policies through a neighbourhood plan that is used in determining planning applications.  Neighbourhood Development Orders / Community Right to Build Orders – grant planning permission for specific development.

 “Planning should be a positive process, where people come together and agree a vision for the future of the place where they live. It should also - crucially - be a system that delivers more growth. Our aim with the Localism Bill is not to prevent new building, but to promote it”  Greg Clark, Pro-localism and pro-development: A speech to the Adam Smith Institute, 2 February 2011  “Neighbourhood plans are the key to unlocking more house-building (…) If you give people power, they will use it responsibly. If you explain to them what their community and their country needs, they will do their bit to make sure it is provided. And if you give them a stake in a future in which beautifully designed homes with easy access to green space are, once again affordable for working people on ordinary wages, they will do what it takes to bring that future about”  Nick Boles, ‘Housing the next generation’ speech to Policy Exchange, 10 January 2013

The Council recognises and supports the development of neighbourhood plans by parish councils. Indeed, the development strategy specifically states that such plans have a role in bringing forward development to meet local needs, particularly at the smaller settlements where strategic levels of growth are inappropriate. SDC Approach

Local Picture

Neighbourhood Plan SolutionsSurveyAnalyses  Survey - Issues - Opportunities - Community needs / wants  Analyses - Consider available options  Solutions - Promote the best option

The Stroud Valleys Gloucester Fringe The Stonehouse Cluster Cam and Dursley Severn Vale Berkeley Cluster Wotton Cluster Cotswold Cluster Local issues + local opportunities = plan making with a local flavour + Local solutions = Neighbourhood Planning

 To add detail and relate development much more closely to the needs and aspirations of the local community – Cam Steering Group  To improve the area – Dursley Steering Group  To show developers what the community want – Eastington Steering Group  To give the community more involvement in the planning process – Kingswood Steering Group  To build on work previously done (Parish Plans / Design Statements) and to create a vision for the future – Stonehouse Steering Group  To improve the communities understanding of the planning process – Harescombe What is motivating some communities in Stroud?

 Affordable housing  Smaller houses (for downsizing or young generation)  Strengthen the role of Town / Village Centres as community hubs  Create employment opportunity  Enhance the natural environment  Improve movement through and within neighbourhoods  Encourage the development and/or access to community, leisure and recreation facilities What are their objectives?

Getting Started Publication Plan Made Referendum Submission to LPA Neighbourhood Area Writing the Plan Independent Examination Considering options & engaging the community Setting the plan boundary Transforming vision and objectives into policy Opportunity to amend the plan Consideration of basic conditions + publication Basic conditions + possible amendments Referendum extent

 Cost to the community - time and effort.  Community split  Referendum  Better understanding of planning process  Community – talent  Agencies – expertise  Local Authority – wide range of advice  Developers – viability Successful plan = Deliverable plan

In the small coastal village of Lympstone: £6,389 In the large Leicestershire village of Broughton Astley: £14,312 In the Exeter ward of St James: £10,450 In the deprived urban area of Heathfield Park: £19,500 In the coastal towns of Lynton & Lynmouth in Exmoor: £27,681 In the small Norfolk village of Strumpshaw: £4,220 Sample of spending £3,455 printing + £280 wood for posters + £263 stationary and ink + £141 miscellaneous costs + £44 land registry + £36 room hire = TOTAL SPEND: £4, 220 Average cost £13,758

Locality