Neighbourhood Planning – the story so far…
The Localism Bill (to be enacted in April 2012) sets out how communities will be able to get more involved in planning for their local areas.
Communities will be able to get involved in creating plans and policies to guide new development and in some cases, granting planning permission for certain types of development.
So what is Neighbourhood Planning?
A Neighbourhood Plan provides an excellent opportunity for communities to identify local issues that matter to them, and provide solutions at a local level.
Town or Parish Councils are the ‘qualifying bodies’ who can make a neighbourhood plan. It can cover a whole town or parish, or just part of it. Two or more parishes can work together to produce a joint plan if they wish to do so.
The three neighbourhood planning tools are:
• Neighbourhood Development Plans
These plans set out the vision for an area, and planning policies for the use and development of land. They could cover where new homes, offices or shops could go, and identify green spaces to be protected.
The plan needs to comply with both Central Bedfordshire’s planning policies and national planning policies. If adopted, the plan will become part of the development plan and be used in making decisions on planning applications.
• Neighbourhood Development Orders
These orders can grant planning permission for specific developments such as shop fronts and ‘green energy’ proposals.
• Community Right to Build Orders
These orders can identify land for specific small scale developments, such as new homes or community facilities.
Where are we so far?
Caddington and Slip End Parish Councils have been accepted by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) as a ‘front runner’ in the Neighbourhood Plan process.
Toddington Parish Council are also likely to be going ahead with a plan, and officers are talking to a number of other communities about whether they want to do a Neighbourhood Plan.
The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee 'Terms of Reference' can be found HERE
PDF files for the Minutes of the Neighbourhood Plan Meetings can be found below
Meeting held on Wednesday 18th January 2012
Meeting held on Wednesday 14th December 2011
Meeting held on Tuesday 15th November 2011