#neighbourhoodplanning Golden Rules

First Golden Rule PLAN POSITIVELY “Planning must be a creative exercise in finding ways to enhance and improve the places in which we live our lives…”

Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. They are able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead. Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools for local people to ensure that they get the right types of development for their community where the ambition of the neighbourhood is aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area.

Paragraph 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that those producing neighbourhood plans or Orders should support the strategic development needs set out in Local Plans, including policies for housing and economic development. More specifically paragraph 184 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that neighbourhood plans and Orders should not promote less development than set out in the Local Plan or undermine its strategic policies.

I commend Cringleford Parish Council for seeking to face up to the difficult issue of meeting a considerable level of housing need for a relatively small community: a further 1,200 dwellings in a parish where 1,000 new dwellings are already being constructed in Round House Park. Report of the independent examiner

“ 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, Thomas Hughes

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

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

…appropriate, having regard to national policies and advice… …general conformity with strategic policies of the development plan… …contribute to sustainable development… …compatible with EU obligations… Neighbourhood Development Orders have some additional basic conditions

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 blog/guidance/neighbourhood-planning/ 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?

A qualifying body should be inclusive and open in the preparation of its neighbourhood plan or Order and ensure that the wider community is kept fully informed of what is being proposed is able to make their views known throughout the process has opportunities to be actively involved in shaping the emerging neighbourhood plan or Order is made aware of how their views have informed the draft neighbourhood plan or Order. Where a qualifying body submits a plan proposal to the local planning authority, it must include a consultation statement, which (a) contains details of the persons and bodies who were consulted about the proposed neighbourhood development plan (b) explains how they were consulted (c) summarises the main issues and concerns raised by the persons consulted and (d) describes how these issues and concerns have been considered and, where relevant, addressed in the proposed neighbourhood development plan.

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