1. Localism and Neighbourhood Planning District, Town and Parish Council Event January 9 th 2012 18:00 – 20:00

2. Neighbourhood planning Neighbourhood Plans South Northamptonshire Council December 2011

3. SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL PLANNING POLICY Neighbourhood Plans Community Right to Build Neighbourhood Development Orders Incentives National Policy (NPPF) Local Plans Planning Reform Tools

4. A Neighbourhood Plan provides Opportunity for local communities to establish partnerships within and outside the community to have greater power, control and influence over the decisions taken that affect them Opportunity for a community to directly shape the development of the area in which they live Opportunity to draw up policies that will become part of the statutory planning framework for their area and to grant planning permission for certain types of new development.

5. A community applies for a neighbourhood area to be designated Work up details of plan with the community Submit plan to the local authority Independent Examination Local authority checks proposals Community referendum Make a plan or order If there is a parish or town council, they take the lead The local authority can advise LPA to arrange. A simple majority is required LPA to advise on conformity with Local Plan Consult statutory consultees as appropriate LPA to arrange LPA to adopt plan as statutory planning document

6. Making an application The Parish sets out: – the proposed neighbourhood area; –why neighbourhood planning is appropriate; –that the group submitting the application is capable of being a qualifying body LPA publish the application for 6 weeks and invite comments LPA to decline applications where the parish or town council has made more than one application

7. When the plan is written The Parish Council has to –publicise the proposals in the plan– bringing them to the attention of a majority of those who live, work or operate business in the neighbourhood area. –publish contact details for representations and information about the proposed timetable for consultation –consult any statutory consultees whose interests are affected Minimum 6 week consultation period

8. Once there is a draft plan Parish Council to submit proposals to Authority with: –a plan or statement showing the area covered by the proposals; –a consultation statement; – the title of the draft plan/order; and – a statement outlining how the proposal meet the basic conditions The consultation statement to: – identify the names of persons whom the qualifying body consulted; – how those persons were consulted; – a summary of the main issues raised; and – how those issues have been addressed LPA to publish proposals for 6 weeks and make draft orders available for inspection

9. The independent check/examination Examiner must have appropriate qualifications, experience and meet other requirements in Act (e.g. independent) Appointed by LPA but agreed with parish council Looks at written representations and only if necessary will hold a public hearing Limited to considering whether proposals passed regulatory requirements (e.g. consultation) and whether neighbourhood plan/order meets ‘basic conditions’ (e.g. national policy) Report which summarises their findings.

10. The basic conditions (independent check) They must have appropriate regard to national policy They must conform to the strategic elements of the local plan They must be compatible with EU obligations And compatible with human rights obligations

11. And finally…..the LPA has to: Publish examiner’s report and the decision (to put plan/order to referendum) on their website; After the referendum takes places…… Publish decision (to make plan/order) and reasons on website and make available for inspection Send a copy of their decision and reasons to: The Forum/Parish Council The Environment Agency Natural England Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England Anyone who has made written representations For orders - Any known owner or tenant of all or part of the land to which the order relates Publish the plan/order on their website and make available for inspection Send a copy of their decision and reasons to: The Forum/Parish Council The Environment Agency Natural England Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England Anyone who has made written representations For orders - Any known owner or tenant of all or part of the land to which the order relates Publish the plan/order on their website and make available for inspection

12. The Role of South Northants Council Five principal roles –To co-operate with a Parish Council and to provide technical advice and support for the preparation of the Plan –To Validate and check a plan prior to their submission for public examination –To meet the cost of a public examination into the draft Plan –To organise and meet the cost of a referendum to ensure there is public support for the Plan –To ‘make’ the Plan that is prepared correctly and that has public support

13. The Role of South Northants Council (2) Generic Neighbourhood Planning advice Advising on whether particular matters can be legitimately included in the plan Advising on the technical, planning-related aspects of producing the plan (e.g. drafting policies, undertaking sustainability appraisal, negotiations with developers) Signposting to sources of evidence Signposting to relevant contacts Help with facilitation or advice on consultation, including giving advice on proposed surveys or questionnaires Practical support such as providing a venue for meeting and providing copies of maps. All subject to available resource

14. Sources of local evidence Village design guides Parish Plans Local transport studies Housing Need Surveys Conservation Areas Village Packs Use SNC Website – www.southnorthants.gov.uk

15. What does it cost Average costs are estimated by DCLG at £17,000 to £63,000 per plan. Questionnaire/ community engagement Evidence base preparation Plan Drafting Distribution and Consultation on Draft Plan Sustainability Appraisal/ Habitats/ SEA Examination costs: £5,000- £8,000 Costs of running a local referendum: £7,000 Review costs (70% of original cost every 10 years?) No duty on LA to provide other financial assistance

16. The 4 support groups The Prince's Foundation - community engagement and finding local solutions to issues. www.princes-foundation.orgwww.princes-foundation.org Locality - online resources and other networking tools, practical workshops and seminars, and tailored advice through a telephone advice line. www.locality.org.ukwww.locality.org.uk Royal Town Planning Institute (Planning Aid) - support and training to local communities on planning strategy, policy and decision-making www.rtpi.org.uk/planningaidwww.rtpi.org.uk/planningaid The National Association of Local Councils in partnership with the Campaign to Protect Rural England – basic planning info via a website, phone line and publications. Local events for the public and parish councils www.cpre.org.ukwww.cpre.org.uk

17. Before committing to a Neighbourhood Plan………

18. What issues are you trying to deal with? –Identifying new sites for development to meet community needs? –Providing specific design guidance for new development? –Opposing a specific development? –Opposing development generally in your area? –Protecting green areas? –Promoting specific sites and policies for a town or village centre? –A combination of the above/overall plan for the area Is it even about development and use of land at all?

19. Final Thoughts Does neighbourhood planning need to end in a neighbourhood plan? It all ends up as part of the Council’s plan SNC Local Plan and Confines work (18 months) A Neighbourhood Plan or inform the Local Plan?