Neighbourhood Planning
Under the terms of the new Localism Act, communities can now
choose to produce a neighbourhood plan, which will contain policies
to help shape and deliver new development in their areas. Because
this document will become a statutory (legal) document they have to
produce it in a certain way. The Government has set out
regulations
on how this would be done.
Neighbourhood Plans can set out a vision for an area and should
contain planning policies for the use and development of land. A
Neighbourhood Plan should be developed to help guide development,
rather than to prevent it. Policies should cover local issues
rather than strategic issues. For example, a Plan could cover where
new homes, shops or offices should go and what green spaces should
be protected.
Plans should be developed in partnership with the Parish
Council, local community groups, Local Authority, statutory
consultees, local residents and local businesses. They will need to
be produced in conformity with Bassetlaw District Council’s Core
Strategy and Development Management Policies Development Plan
Document and the National Planning Policy Framework. If the Plan is
adopted by the District Council it will become a statutory document
that will be used when determining planning applications.
Neighbourhood planning cannot be used to block the building of
the homes and businesses considered to be necessary to meet the
District’s current and future needs. It can , however, influence
the type, design, location and mix of new development.
Neighbourhood Planning can involve any of the following:
- Neighbourhood Development Plan - establishes the vision and
planning policies for the use and development of land in your
neighbourhood.
- Neighbourhood Development Order – allows the community to grant
planning permission for types of new developments you want to see
go ahead.
- Community Right to Build Order – is a type of Neighbourhood
Development Order which gives communities the power to develop, for
instance, small-scale housing and other facilities that you want
without the need to apply for planning permission.
All of these documents will be subject to an independent
examination and a local referendum before they can be adopted.
Who can lead on Neighbourhood Planning?
Neighbourhood Planning is led by the local community. A
Neighbourhood Development Plan and a Neighbourhood Development
Order can only be prepared by Parish or Town Council in Parished
areas. In areas where there is no Parish or Town Council, a
Neighbourhood Forum can lead on coordinating the neighbourhood
planning for your area. This could be an existing community
organisation or a new group but it will need to meet certain
criteria. The Neighbourhood Forum and area boundary will need to be
approved by the Council.
A Community Right to Build Order can be prepared by certain
community organisations and not just the Parish or Town Council or
Neighbourhood Forum.
What help is available?
The Council can assist parishes and community groups in
producing a Neighbourhood Plan. If you are thinking about
Neighbourhood Planning we would like to hear from you:
by telephone on: 01909 535151
by email: natalie.cockrell@bassetlaw.gov.uk
by post to: Planning Policy, Bassetlaw District Council, Queen’s
Buildings, Potter Street, Worksop, S80 2AH.
In addition to advice from the Council, the following
organisations may be able to offer assistance:
Last Updated - 14/05/2013