What are neighbourhood plans?
Through the Localism Act the government is giving local communities a direct say in the future development of their neighbourhood, parish or town. A neighbourhood plan is a planning document that guides and shapes development in the local area and is created by local people.
Neighbourhood plans are about local development issues. For example where new homes and shops should go and will have a focus on guiding development rather than stopping it. Plans need to be in general conformity with national policy and our local planning policies.
Are communities required to have a neighbourhood plan?
No, communities can decide if they want a plan or not. Our local plan will still be used to determine planning applications so communities without a plan will not be left vulnerable to unwanted development.
Who will prepare them?
Neighbourhood plans will be prepared by town and parish councils or in areas where there is none a community group in the form of a neighbourhood forum. The forum should be made up of a minimum of 21 people who live or work in the area. The neighbourhood plan needs to be supported by the majority of the community before it can be adopted and so a referendum will be held.
Neighbourhood plans will also be independently checked in order for it to be adopted.
What areas can be covered by a neighbourhood plan?
Any area can have a neighbourhood plan. They can cross local authority boundaries although they should not overlap with other neighbourhoods who may also wish to prepare a plan for their area. If the area is very small such as one street it may be suggested joining with other neighbourhoods to create a larger area. We will need to agree with the community the area the plan will cover.
How much work will be required to produce a neighbourhood plan?
The level of work required will largely depend on how much detail the plan goes into. This will be decided at the local level although there are statutory requirements of things which need to be covered by the plan.
We have a duty to provide technical and practical support to the plan making process, but as this is new and untried, it will be a learning process for all of those involved. It is expected neighbourhood plans will take approximately two years from start to finish.
Can we stop development from happening in our area?
No, a neighbourhood plan can guide development to be more appropriate to local needs and help decide where it goes, but the government has made it clear it is not a tool to be used to stop development.
Do town and parish councils or neighbourhood forums make the final decision on planning applications in their area if they have a neighbourhood plan?
No, the decision making on planning applications is the responsibility of the local planning authority (LPA). The community leads on preparing the plan and setting out the policies for development in their area but it is the LPA that will give planning permission in accordance with those policies.
Is there anything to stop people with a business interest from being part of a forum and how will the system be maintained to ensure fairness?
Builders and developers and others with a commercial interest are able to be part of a neighbourhood forum as long as they live or work in the area covered by the plan. It will be the responsibility of individual parish and town councils or neighbourhood forum to ensure that the plan making process is open and transparent. Personal and business interests should be declared at the outset
If we have a neighbourhood plan does this mean that we don’t have to use the local plan or core strategy?
No - the local plan will continue to be used to determine planning applications until superseded by the core strategy. Neighbourhood plans will form a new tier of planning at a very local level. They need to conform to the adopted core strategy for Leeds but will form part of the development plan for their area.
What weight will be given to neighbourhood plans in planning decisions?
When adopted, neighbourhood plans will be statutory planning documents. They will form part of the development plan, which, in Leeds is the Local Development Framework (LDF) and so will have significant weight in planning decisions.
Who will pay for the neighbourhood planning process?
It will be up to the parish or town council or local community group to pay for the preparation of a neighbourhood plan. The Localism Act suggests the business community could contribute towards the costs.
What is our role?
We have a duty to provide technical advice and support to communities producing a neighbourhood plan. It also has to:
- agree the composition and designate neighbourhood forums
- agree the boundary of the area to be covered by a neighbourhood plan
- organise the independent examination of the neighbourhood plan and arrange and fund the referendum
- formally adopt the neighbourhood plan and bring it into force
Have some neighbourhoods already started work on neighbourhood planning?
Yes, some neighbourhoods have started to think about working together and making a plan for their community. However, the regulations that provide more details how the plan should be made are still not in place and are due in April 2012.
The Government has also funded a number of pilot schemes to test out different ways of preparing neighbourhood plans using the proposed powers. In Leeds, four areas have put in a bid for the funding. These areas are Otley, Kippax, Boston Spa and Beeston. You can view more information on the Department of Communities and Local Government website.
How do I get involved in neighbourhood planning?
The first step is to contact your parish or town council to see if they are already considering producing a neighbourhood plan.
Where can I find further information?
Plain English guide to the Localism Act
Localism Act