Transcript Document

Planning: Can localism work in
your area?
Dr Michael Harris
Deputy Head of Policy & Research
John Romanski
Senior Neighbourhood Planning Advisor,
Planning Aid England
Local plans – Main principles
• Responsibility of local planning authority
• Must be rooted in sound evidence
• Community involvement a statutory
requirement
• Provide context for decision making on
proposals
• Provide certainty to developers and community
• Represents a discretionary system –
adherence does not give automatic permission
(e.g. not US-style zoning)
Local plans – Components
• Core strategy outlining vision and general policies
• Site allocations for development and
infrastructure
• Area action plans for areas of significant change
• Supplementary planning documents
• Statement of Community Involvement
• Local Development Scheme sets timescale for
preparation
NPPF – Core principles
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Genuinely plan-led
Promote ‘sustainable development’
Take account of different roles/character of areas
Seeking high quality design and amenities
Support the transition to a low carbon future
Encourage the effective use of land
Promote mixed use developments
Contribute to conserving/enhancing environment
Actively manage growth to make fullest possible
use of public transport, walking and cycling
National Planning Policy
Statements and
Guidance (PPSs and
PPGs)
Regional Spatial
Strategies
Local Development
Framework, which
includes the Core
Strategy
Planning Application
Possible appeal If application
refused
Feedback to the
policy process
Development
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National Planning Policy
Statements and
Guidance (PPS & PPGs)
National
Planning Policy
Framework
Regional Spatial Strategy
Duty to Co-operate
Joint Working
Sub - Regional Studies
Local Plan (Local
Development
Framework)
Proposed
Neighbourhood Plans
Planning Application
Possible appeal If application
refused (PINs)
Feedback to the
policy process
Development
6
How are they produced?
• Must be based on ‘sound’ evidence
- Meets local development needs
- Reflects local people’s views
• In accordance with the NPPF
• Will go through ‘examination’
• Assessed by government appointed inspector
• Formerly ‘adopted’ by the LPA
• Planning applications/appeals determined in
accordance with them
What else?
• Must be based upon cooperation with:
- Neighbouring authorities
- Public sector
- Private sector
- Voluntary sector
Duty to Cooperate
• Section 110 of the Localism Act
• Paragraph 156 and 178-181 of the NPPF
• Needed following planned abolition of
Regional Plans
• Used to ensure strategic planning across
boundaries (‘larger than local’) is delivered
When is it applied?
• Relates to sustainable development or use of land
that would have a significant impact on at least two
local planning areas or on a planning matter that
falls within the remit of a county council
• Requires that councils set out planning policies to
address such issues
• Requires that councils and public bodies ‘engage
constructively, actively and on an on-going basis’ to
develop strategic policies
• Requires councils to consider joint approaches to
plan making
“Early and meaningful engagement and
collaboration with neighbourhoods, local
organisations and businesses is essential. A wide
section of the community should be proactively
engaged, so that Local Plans, as far as possible,
reflect a collective vision and a set of agreed
priorities for the sustainable development of the
area, including those contained in any
neighbourhood plans that have been made.”
- Para 155, NPPF
How can local people get involved?
• Plans are produced with significant public
consultation
• The views of local people form part of the
evidence base
• Council with have a ‘Local Development
Scheme’ which sets out clear timetables
• Opportunity to be involved at examination
The risks of not having an up-to-date Local Plan
• Committees cannot use any policies that conflict
with NPPF principles
• From 2014 limitations on S106 obligations mean
LPAs will lose out on funds for infrastructure
• NPPF leaves scope for interpretation – appeals
and associated costs could rise
• Less able to negotiate effectively with other
authorities under duty to cooperate
• Having a plan helps make places work better
Progress
with core
strategies
The deeper
the shade of
red, the
further a
council has
progressed
with its core
strategy
Source: Planning
Resource, based on
Planning
Inspectorate data,
last updated 25
January 2013
The rate of change in planning
• Localism Act, Neighbourhood Plans, Duty
to Co-operate
• CIL, New Homes Bonus
• Further announcements
• Taylor Review
• …but significant pressures on resources.
Resource pressures on planning
Source: DCLG
Neighbourhood Planning Support:
[email protected]
Tel: 0203 206 1880
Advice Line:
Tel: 0330 123 9244
[email protected]
www.rtpi.org.uk/planningaid
www.mapforengland.co.uk