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Neighbourhood Development Plans Presentation to Parish Council Liaison Forum Monday 21st March 2011 Rosemary Young Spatial Planning Manager Stockton Council Localism Bill • Draft law not actual law yet • May change • Much detail left to subsequent regulations Neighbourhood Planning: what's it all about? • Localism • Decentralisation • Big Society Neighbourhood Planning: what’s it all about? • Freedom from top-down controls • Empowering communities & individuals and giving them responsibility • Inspire innovation and creativity • Decisions taken as close as possible to people they affect • Direct incentives to promote sustainable growth. • Allowing people to set priorities and become involved in decisions about the future of their area What it’s not about. Neighbourhood planning isn’t: “ a way of a group declaring UDI from the wider area they live in.” Nor is it : “ a way of saying “no” to any development. It can be a way of saying “yes” to more.” Greg Clarke Minister for Decentralisation. What is neighbourhood planning? • Neighbourhood Plan • Neighbourhood Development Orders • Community Right to Build Orders All led by the neighbourhood not the local authority The neighbourhood plan • You have to be a “qualifying body” to prepare one • Neighbourhood decides what plan includes. • Promote more but not less development. Constraints • Regard to national planning policy • General conformity with strategic policies and proposals in the local plan • Consistency with other adopted neighbourhood plans • Compatible with European law (environment, human rights). How is it prepared? Process instigated by parish council or neighbourhood forum Plan prepared by local communities with council providing support and advice Extensive community engagement Examined by independent examiner who considers fit with local development plan, national policy and alignment with other neighbouring plans. Issues non binding report. How is it prepared? Proceed to referendum Referendum seeks adoption. Simple majority in favour to progress to adoption. Neighbourhood Plan adopted by local authority. Who pays for them? • The neighbourhood. • Government will fund sources of help and advice for communities. • Estimated average costs between £17,000 - £63,000. Council funds: • Examination in Public • Referendum Role of Local Planning Authority • Duty to support – ensure compliance with EU Directives • Duty to Adopt To quote the Chief Planning Officer: Government wished to: “ restore the idea that development can be a force for good, rather than something to be resisted at all costs,” And to turn : “Opponents into Proponents of growth, by capturing benefits and incentives for the community.” Some final thoughts. • Starting point will be Local Plan and Local Development Framework. • Will your neighbourhood plan add anything that isn’t already covered by them? Now I’m interested to hear what you know about the new system and how you understand it will operate. Any comments or questions? Further information. Stockton Council website: quick links to Spatial Planning Spatial Planning website: http://sbcinternet/citizenservices/planningde partment/dev_plans/ Contact details: Email: • [email protected] • [email protected]