Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan for All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley (“NP2”) Team – Introduction 15th July 2014 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Neighbourhood Planning in Bishop’s Stortford Plan 1 – Silverleys and Meads Ward Plan 1 – Silverleys and Meads Ward Plan now created – with East Herts and out for consultation Plan now created – with East Herts and out for consultation Due to be submitted for examination shortly Due to be submitted for examination shortly If it passes examination, it will go to referendum end 2014/early 2015 If it passes examination, it will go to referendum end 2014/early 2015 Plan 2 – Central, All Saints, South and part of Thorley Parish Plan 2 – Central, All Saints, South and part of Thorley Parish Whittington Way area included because it includes area where future development is planned (Draft District Plan) Whittington Way area included because it includes area where future development is planned (Draft District Plan) Neighbourhood Area designation applied for, awaiting confirmation from East Herts expected August Neighbourhood Area designation applied for, awaiting confirmation from East Herts expected August Process is likely to take 12 to 18 months or more Process is likely to take 12 to 18 months or more © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

NP2 Neighbourhood Area © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

The Neighbourhood Plan process Set a designated area Set a designated area Done, awaiting District Confirmation Done, awaiting District Confirmation Prepare and create the Plan based on evidence Prepare and create the Plan based on evidence Consult throughout the process Consult throughout the process Formal (Regulation 14) Consultation Formal (Regulation 14) Consultation Independent Examination Independent Examination Examiner appointed by District Council with Town Council agreement Examiner appointed by District Council with Town Council agreement Checks against legislative requirements Checks against legislative requirements Referendum and Adoption => statutory force Referendum and Adoption => statutory force © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Strawman Timetable © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Neighbourhood Planning Introduced under the Localism Act 2011 Introduced under the Localism Act 2011 Aims to provide greater public influence and involvement in the planning of their local area Aims to provide greater public influence and involvement in the planning of their local area Can comprise Can comprise A Neighbourhood Development Plan A Neighbourhood Development Plan sets out policies against which planning applications are assessed (in parallel with those in the Local or District Plan) sets out policies against which planning applications are assessed (in parallel with those in the Local or District Plan) A Neighbourhood Development Order or Community Development Order A Neighbourhood Development Order or Community Development Order grants planning permission for specified developments grants planning permission for specified developments © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Limitations on Neighbourhood Planning Plans must Plans must Have regard to national legislation and guidance (the NPPF and other guidance) Have regard to national legislation and guidance (the NPPF and other guidance) be in general conformity with the strategic policies in the Local Plan be in general conformity with the strategic policies in the Local Plan Contribute to sustainable development Contribute to sustainable development Not breach with European Legislations (including the European Human Rights Act 1998) Not breach with European Legislations (including the European Human Rights Act 1998) May trigger an Strategic Environmental Assessment May trigger an Strategic Environmental Assessment be prepared by the Parish or Town Council if one exists be prepared by the Parish or Town Council if one exists The Local Planning Authority The Local Planning Authority cannot control the Neighbourhood Plan process cannot control the Neighbourhood Plan process can (should) give information and help but is not obliged to do so can (should) give information and help but is not obliged to do so Has a strictly proscribed role in relation to the plan Has a strictly proscribed role in relation to the plan © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Objectives as set out by Council Primary objective: the engagement of the residents and other stakeholders to create a binding plan/policies which promote a desirable evolution for the Neighbourhood Area Primary objective: the engagement of the residents and other stakeholders to create a binding plan/policies which promote a desirable evolution for the Neighbourhood Area (a) in the context of the assumption that development will occur substantially in line with the emerging District Plan and (a) in the context of the assumption that development will occur substantially in line with the emerging District Plan and (b) which have regard to and sit comfortably with the policies in the current Neighbourhood Plan for Silverleys and Meads wards. (b) which have regard to and sit comfortably with the policies in the current Neighbourhood Plan for Silverleys and Meads wards. Statutory Vehicle: a Neighbourhood Development Plan Statutory Vehicle: a Neighbourhood Development Plan However if it is considered that one or more Neighbourhood Development Orders or a Community Right to Build Order would be beneficial, these may be included later However if it is considered that one or more Neighbourhood Development Orders or a Community Right to Build Order would be beneficial, these may be included later © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Emerging District Plan – Bishop’s Stortford © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Accountability and consultation Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is ultimately accountable Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is ultimately accountable Neighbourhood Plan Team Neighbourhood Plan Team leads the development of the Neighbourhood Plan leads the development of the Neighbourhood Plan deals with consultation - consults others during the creation of the plan deals with consultation - consults others during the creation of the plan Records all contacts and consultation undertaken Records all contacts and consultation undertaken Documents relevant evidence Documents relevant evidence leads the interest teams where appropriate leads the interest teams where appropriate Other statutory consultees Other statutory consultees Will be consulted later in accordance with the regulations Will be consulted later in accordance with the regulations © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Team terms of engagement Respect the Primary Objectives Respect the Primary Objectives A binding plan/policies which result in desirable additions to the Town. Aim for completion! A binding plan/policies which result in desirable additions to the Town. Aim for completion! Respect basic conditions Respect basic conditions Members are not indicating support for District Policies Members are not indicating support for District Policies Free to challenge them outside the activities of the team Free to challenge them outside the activities of the team on condition that the publicity surrounding this does not undermine the Neighbourhood Plan on condition that the publicity surrounding this does not undermine the Neighbourhood Plan Attendance expectations Attendance expectations At least two thirds of ordinary meetings, No substitutes, Apologies to be given if not attending At least two thirds of ordinary meetings, No substitutes, Apologies to be given if not attending Positive and professional Cooperation expected Positive and professional Cooperation expected No ‘filibustering’ or other techniques to delay progress, Respect the views of other members No ‘filibustering’ or other techniques to delay progress, Respect the views of other members Do the Homework Do the Homework Don’t feel obliged to volunteer for a task, but if you agree to do something please complete it Don’t feel obliged to volunteer for a task, but if you agree to do something please complete it Overseen by Council Task and Finish Group, Draft to be approved by Council Overseen by Council Task and Finish Group, Draft to be approved by Council The work of Team will be overseen by the Neighbourhood Plan Task and Finish Group The work of Team will be overseen by the Neighbourhood Plan Task and Finish Group The Task and Finish Group will report periodically to Full Council on progress The Task and Finish Group will report periodically to Full Council on progress Approval of the Town Council required prior to submission for independent examination. Approval of the Town Council required prior to submission for independent examination. Meeting format Meeting format Combination, Formally chaired and more interactive workshops/brainstorming sessions Combination, Formally chaired and more interactive workshops/brainstorming sessions Sub groups for key subject areas Sub groups for key subject areas © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Law and guidance – documentation supplied National National National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (on CD) The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (on CD) Locality’s Roadmap Guide to Neighbourhood Planning plus ‘Quick Guide to Neighbourhood Plans’ Locality’s Roadmap Guide to Neighbourhood Planning plus ‘Quick Guide to Neighbourhood Plans’ Locality’s Guide ‘Keeping it Simple’ Locality’s Guide ‘Keeping it Simple’ RCCE Neighbourhood Planning Guide (on CD) RCCE Neighbourhood Planning Guide (on CD) Local Local NP for Silverleys and Meads + Basic Conditions Statement NP for Silverleys and Meads + Basic Conditions Statement East Herts Local Plan 2007 (existing saved policies) East Herts Local Plan 2007 (existing saved policies) East Herts Draft District Plan East Herts Draft District Plan Bishop’s Stortford Town Plan Bishop’s Stortford Town Plan © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Recommended High level approach Focus on a Neighbourhood Development Plan (policies) Focus on a Neighbourhood Development Plan (policies) Keep it Simple Keep it Simple Explore approaches resulting in the need for only limited documentation/policies which focus solely or principally on the key issues for the Neighbourhood Area Explore approaches resulting in the need for only limited documentation/policies which focus solely or principally on the key issues for the Neighbourhood Area Retain policies from first NP where appropriate Retain policies from first NP where appropriate Do not duplicate national or district policies Do not duplicate national or district policies © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Strawman Twin-Track Process Track 1 – Renewed Public engagement, brainstorming & visioning Track 1 – Renewed Public engagement, brainstorming & visioning Consider a new household questionnaire, other methods of engagement Consider a new household questionnaire, other methods of engagement Track 2 – Review Silverleys and Meads ward plan Track 2 – Review Silverleys and Meads ward plan What do we want to keep? What do we want to keep? What do we want to change? What do we want to change? © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Strawman high level issues Housing and Design Housing and Design Housing Mix Housing Mix Sustainability, renewable sources Sustainability, renewable sources Affordable accommodation for youngsters Affordable accommodation for youngsters Green spaces Green spaces Impact on environment & wildlife, access, special areas Impact on environment & wildlife, access, special areas Transport Transport Traffic impact including impact elsewhere Traffic impact including impact elsewhere Entrances and exits, road infrastructure Entrances and exits, road infrastructure Community Transport Community Transport Community Issues Community Issues Sports facilities Sports facilities Educational facilities Educational facilities Health facilities Health facilities Business and Employment Business and Employment Opportunities/business centre Opportunities/business centre Support to local businesses Support to local businesses Large employment site Large employment site Communications technology infrastructure Communications technology infrastructure Special Geographic Areas Special Geographic Areas Goods Yard, Town Centre, BS South, Manor Links Goods Yard, Town Centre, BS South, Manor Links High Level Spatial Planning matters High Level Spatial Planning matters Ensure development does not frustrate fourth quadrant of bypass, School/Housing swap?, Goods Yard link road, Civic Centre? Ensure development does not frustrate fourth quadrant of bypass, School/Housing swap?, Goods Yard link road, Civic Centre? © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Preparation for Next meeting Engaging the public constructively about development of Town – how and what questions? Engaging the public constructively about development of Town – how and what questions? Identification of high level issues? Identification of high level issues? © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council