Town and Parish Council Training Neighbourhood Planning Workshop - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Town and Parish Council Training Neighbourhood Planning Workshop

Neighbourhood Planning Workshop 1. Introduction to Neighbourhood Planning  National framework  What a Neighbourhood Plan can and can’t do  The benefits of a Neighbourhood Plan  Preparing a Neighbourhood Plan  Tools and Resources available to help 2. Workshop groups 3. Feedback & Questions

Setting the Scene Localism – Communities having a greater say about the decisions that affect you and where you live NPPF – Emphasis on sustainable growth and local involvement But what does this mean? Slide 3 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

The Government’s message “We are clear that local people - and local authorities - must be at the heart of planning. The Localism Act has put the power to plan back in the hands of communities, but with this power comes responsibility: a responsibility to meet their needs for development and growth, and to deal quickly and effectively with proposals that will deliver homes, jobs and facilities.” Eric Pickles, 6 September 2012 Slide 4 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

Neighbourhood Planning: Legal Framework and Guidance  Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012  Forthcoming DCLG Guidance – late July 2013  Locality – Roadmap Guide  My Community Rights  Planning Advisory Service (PAS)  Planning Aid, RTPI and others  SHDC Neighbourhood Planning Slide 5 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

The national picture – July 2013  586 applications to designate areas  401 designated areas (3 rural to 1 urban)  32 draft plans submitted for pre submission consultation  6 plans submitted for examination  3 Neighbourhood Plans passed referendum – Upper Eden, Thame (South Oxfordshire) and St James Exeter

The local picture- South Hams  NP Frontrunners – Ivybridge, Salcombe, Totnes and Ugborough  6 designated neighbourhood plan areas – Harberton, Totnes, Ugborough, Bickleigh, Ivybridge and Salcombe  Other parishes weighing up the benefits of preparing a NP. Slide 7 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

What is Neighbourhood Planning? Statutory Planning:  Neighbourhood Plans  Neighbourhood Development Orders  Community Right to Build Orders Non – statutory planning:  e.g. Parish Plans, Village Design Statements Focus today – Neighbourhood Plans Slide 8 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

What are Neighbourhood Plans?  New type of planning policy document  Relates to the use of land or other planning matters  Once adopted, will form part of the local development plan for the area  Will be used to make decisions on planning applications  Optional, not compulsory

What can a Neighbourhood Plan do?  Establish a vision for the area  Set specific planning policies for the plan area  Allocate land for different uses  Develop design guidance  Develop proposals to enhance areas The focus must be on planning issues and the plan should be realistic

Neighbourhood Planning Myths

Neighbourhood Plans must be in conformity with:  The Core Strategy/Local Plan  NPPF  EU Directives It would be good if communities could come up with their own Plans and shape the places that they live… As long as they agree with the NPPF!

The benefits of a Neighbourhood Plan?  A real opportunity to plan for the future of your area  Your plan can help guide development  Set visions and priorities for your community  Scale, scope and themes are up to you  Builds consensus  Allocate sites for development  Identify special areas for protection and develop design guidance  Community endorsement (via referendum)  Statutory weight in decision making

Before you start 5 things to consider …  What do you want your plan to achieve?  What is the reason for preparing your plan?  Is this the right approach for you?  Do you want to help guide future development in your area?  Will the Local Plan meet your needs? Slide 14 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Does your Neighbourhood Plan require SA?  No statutory requirement for SA but good practice for plan-making  May require a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) if the Neighbourhood Plan is likely to have significant environmental effects  SA/SEA should be integral to the Neighbourhood Plan preparation and commence at the outset  SA should influence the plan. Slide 15 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) A Neighbourhood Plan may need to be assessed through the HRA process if policies in the plan potentially affect European sites such as:  Special Protection Areas (SPA)  Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)  RAMSAR sites The assessment process has 3 main tasks:  Screening for the likely significant effects  Appropriate assessment and ascertaining the effect on site integrity  Mitigation and alternative solutions Slide 16 | insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

Locality roadmap Slide 17 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

Plan preparation – the process 1. Set up a group 2. Designate your area 3. Collect evidence and information 4. Community Consultation 5. Write a draft plan 6. The legal process to adoption Slide 18 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

1. Set up a group to lead  Made up of people living or working in the parish and town/parish council members  The group will: – Talk to and engage the community – Gather evidence and information to support the plan – Prepare and consult on draft plan

2. Apply to the local authority to designate a plan area  Decide on the area the plan will cover  Fill out an application form which includes – A map of the proposed plan area – Explanation of why the area is appropriate – Terms of Reference for the project group  Templates are available on the Council’s website

3. Collect evidence and information Our environment Local job opportunities

4. Community Consultation  Surveys  Events  Focus groups  Coffee mornings  Facebook & Twitter

5. Write a draft plan and publish for consultation You should think about:  What will your community be like in the future?  How will your plan achieve this?  What planning policies will enable this to happen?  What type of new development is needed and where will it go? Consult on the draft plan for a minimum of 6 weeks Review plan and make final changes

6. Adopting the Plan Submit the plan to the Local Authority Adoption Submission Referendum Independent Examination

How are Neighbourhood Plans Financed?  Some funding packages available from appointed organisations  Requirement of volunteer time  SHDC Officer Support  Cost of each Plan varies depending on the scope and what you are trying to achieve

Funding Government funding available for Communities  Bespoke direct support (up to £9,500) and/or  Grant of £7,000  Fund raising events and other sources of funding Local authority funding  £30,000 per scheme - includes paying for examination and referendum Slide 26 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

How can we support you?  Local Authorities have a duty to support NPs in their area  SHDC NP Protocol – Lead Officer  Technical support  Evidence sources  Stakeholder contacts

Useful contact details  Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (www.gov.uk)  Locality (locality.org.uk)  My Community Rights (mycommunityrights.org)  Planning Advisory Service (PAS) (www.pas.gov.uk)  RTPI & Planning Aid (www.rtpi.org.uk/planning-aid)  South Hams District Council (www.southhams.gov.uk) Slide 28 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

How to contact us  South Hams District Council (www.southhams.gov.uk)  Email: strategic.planning@southhams.gov.uk  By telephone 01803 861234 and ask for Strategic Planning Slide 29 | Insert the title of your presentation here on the slide master

Neighbourhood Planning Workshops