Neighbourhood planning by Urban Design London

7/31/2019 Neighbourhood planning by Urban Design London

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Localism Act, 2011Neighbourhood Plans must be in general conformity with the

strategic policies of the Local Plan

NPPF, March 2012Neighbourhood plans and orders should not promote less

development than set out in the Local Plan or undermine its

strategic policies. (para 184)

What is new? Real statutory weight?

Building on the best of community-led

planning

Community-led reduced LPA

discretion

Shaping not stopping development

Neighbourhood Planning


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The Governments view on progress

Neighbourhood planning works outside of (rural) parishes

Timescales are longer than expected: first steps often the hardest

LPAs have generally been very supportive

Strong focus on:

- affordable housing

- public realm

- town centre regeneration

Different types of Plan emerging:

- mini Local Plan- policy plans (no site allocations)

- policy and allocation plans

- single policy document

- Neighbourhood Development Orders


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Process: timescales

Application for designation of neighbourhood area

Publicising an area application min 6 weeks

Publicising the designation of a neighbourhood area ASAP

Application for designation of Neighbourhood Forum

Publicising a Forum application min 6 weeks

Publicising (if applicable) the designation of a Neighbourhood Forum ASAP

Drafting NDP outreach, engagement, workshops, evidence gathering, technical reports no time limit

Screen whether SEA is required and scope with statutory bodies 5 weeks

Pre-submission consultation and publicity min 6 weeks

Produce and consult on SEA Report (if required) 6 weeks

Submission of plan proposal N/A

Publicising the plan proposal, inviting written representations Min 6 weeks

Appointment ofindependent examiner No time limit

Submit plan for examination; forward written representations to independent examiner ASAP

Assessment of planagainst the basic tests by written representations and/or publichearing if examiner considers it necessary to do so. Production of examiners report.

no time limit

Publicationof the examiners report and plan proposal decisions no time limit

Decision on a planproposal, including modifications in light of examiners report no time limit

Organise referendum no time limit

Publicising adoption of NDP as part of the development plan for the local authority area ASAP


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Vision and spatial strategy for the area places/communities thatmay change, places/communities of little change and how they fit

together

Clear statements about what is valued locally

Policies to improve the existing place or influence new development

Influence how investment is used locally

Allocate sites and/or uses

Specific projects

Guidance to help in responding to local context

Give information on what local needs and requirements are

What a Neighbourhood Plan could do


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1. Define local character, and what should beprotected, preserved and enhanced

2. What makes for quality of life in the area

3. Guidance on:

control of development streetscape design & mgmt

detailed design in the area

4. Where improvements should be made

Norland Conservation Area draft NDP

Make it easy for pedestrians to move freely and safely in Norland

Manage new development in such a way as to conserve local character

Maintain a mix of uses try to retain small businesses

Maintain its social diversity

Encourage civic pride and local involvement of individuals and organisations


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Upper Eden draft NDP

Reasoned justification

Intention (objective)

Policy

27 parishes7 policies only

20-page document

Draws heavily on Eden

Local Plan policies


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Thame draft NDP

25 objectives

63 separate policies84-page draft very detailed!

Policies on:

Housing

Working & shopping

Getting aroundLeisure & well-being

Environment & sustainability

Place-making & design quality

The vision Thame must:continue to feel compactcontinue to have a close relationship with theopen countryside around itretain its marketscontinue to act as a centre for the surroundingarea not just its own residentsremain attractive to its visitors


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Thame draft NDP


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Thame draft NDP key areas for pedestrian/cycle improvement


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Thame NDP site development briefs


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1. Intro how the plan fits in to the planning system,

how it is structured

2. A portrait of the place description, maps, photos,consultation results

3. Vision Statement

4. Key Objectives

5. Summary of technical background / issues (map)

6. The Plan

- Key diagram(s)

- Policies area-wide / thematic / site specific

- Community actions

7. Delivery (or a separate Delivery Plan)

- delivery mechanism and timetable

for each policy & action

- monitoring of policies

Neighbourhood Plan structure

Supplementary information:

Statement of conformity

Summary of evidence

Statement of community

consultation

SEA Report (if required)

Area map


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The Plan must:

- Have an appropriate fit with national and local policy

- Have special regard for listed buildings and Conservation Areas

- Be compatible with EU, equality and human rights obligations

- Contribute to sustainable development

Submission of the final plan is an opportunity for consultees to provide written

representations.

Examiner is appointed by the local authority, with the consent of the

community.

Local authority must consider the examiners report and also satisfy itself that

the Plan meets the basic conditions

Examiner checks the basic conditions


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Making existing policy and processes work OR setting new directions

Dealing with everything, everywhere OR being selective / strategic

(Balancing time/resources you have with the most important things to address)

Aspiration versus pragmatism (whats likely to be implemented?)

Issues you can continue to monitor and control... Issues you rely on others tomanage, deliver, monitor

Representing all views OR seeking a majority (accepting that some wont agree)

A package of measures you believe is right for the place ORA package most likely to get through an Examination and Referendum

The big decisions? Finding the right balance


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Questions?


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4th Commencement Order 6 April 2012 brought in all neighbourhoodplanning provisions (with exception of referendums) e.g. duty to support

Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 6 April 2012

designating neighbourhood area and neighbourhood forum

preparation of neighbourhood development plans and orders and Community

Right to Build Orders

amendments to Habitats and EIA regulations (no changes required to

regulations on SEA)

Consequential amendments planned e.g. to DMPO planning register to

recognise NDOs We are working towards ensuring that regulations on the holding of

neighbourhood planning referendums will commence from summer /

autumn 2012.

Progress on Legislation


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The Environmental Assessment of Plans

and Programmes Regulations, 2004

Schedule 5. Environmental assessment is a requirement for any plan or programme which:- is prepared for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, transport, waste management, watermanagement, telecommunications, tourism, town and country planning or land use, and

- sets the framework for future development consent of projects (listed in Annex I or II)

An Environmental Assessment is not required:

- for a minor modification to a plan or programme

- unless it has been determined under regulation 9(1) that the plan, programme or modification is likely

to have significant environmental effects, or it is the subject of a direction under regulation 10(3).

Schedule 9. Where the responsible authority determines that the plan, programme or modification isunlikely to have significant environmental effects (and, accordingly, does not require an environmental

assessment), it shall prepare a statement of its reasons for the determination.

Schedule 12. When deciding on the scope and level of detail of the information that must be includedin the report, the responsible authority shall consult the consultation bodies (Countryside Agency,

English Heritage, English Nature, The Environment Agency).

Where a consultation body wishes to respond to a consultation, it shall do so within 5 weeks beginning

with the date on which it receives the responsible authoritys invitation to engage in the consultation.

Documents

Neighbourhood planning by Urban Design London