The Purpose of a Neighbourhood Plan
The Government thinks that the local community should have a greater say in shaping the way their local area develops - in our case the village and the wider parish. This idea forms a key part of the Localism Act (2011). For locations with parish councils the way of achieving this is through a Neighbourhood Plan.
The full title of a Neighbourhood Plan is a Neighbourhood Development Plan and as the name suggests it is not about stopping development - in fact it has to presume in its favour - it is about identifying the need for development and, when identified, ensuring that the interests and wishes of the village are represented. Here are some of basic fundamental principle which must apply:
- A Neighbourhood Plan cannot contradict the NHDC Local Plan, but if undertaken at the right time can contribute to and influence it.
- A Neighbourhood Plan cannot stop development, but allows the community to identify their requirements rather than have them thrust upon us.
- It has to be undertaken by a qualifying body - in our case the Parish Council however they have agreed to establish a Steering Group of local residents to facilitate and guide the process.
- A Neighbourhood Plan cannot be imposed, it must genuinely gather and reflect residents' wishes otherwise it will not be accepted as a Neighbourhood Plan - to that end the Steering Group is not a committee who decide what is in or out of the Plan, but the means by which it is developed and people's views are included.
The Neighbourhood Plan has to produce a long term plan (15 to 20 years or more) and once in place it can exert significant control over proposed development. To be accepted it must be demonstrably built on consultation with the community and when adopted it can give clear guidance which the planning authority must take into account. As such it could be a very powerful tool for the village, not to stop all development, but to control it and its impact on the village and our community.
It should be recognised that if consultation with the community concludes that the community does not want any development, then it is unlikely that a Neighbourhood Plan can be produced.
In simple terms:
- A good Neighbourhood Plan based on good consultation can give us the opportunity to improve our control or influence over development, including size, impact and appearance.
- Without a Neighbourhood Plan decisions will be made by others and our opportunity to influence them is significantly weakened.
In addition a Neighbourhood Plan does not just need to consider development, but may also assess and influence the need and aspirations for the future, including village facilities and infrastructure and can recognise and afford protection to community assets etc.
All of the above relies on a good Neighbourhood Plan properly produced and that can only happen if he you, the community, takes part in the consultation, so please do so over the coming months.
