Steps to completing our plan

The neighbourhood area must be submitted to the local planning authority for approval. Only one plan and area are allowed per neighbourhood, but multiple development orders are permitted. Applications require maps, reasoning, and qualification statements. The local authority publicises and decides on designations, with time limits for decisions. Business-focused areas may allow business voting in referendums. Engaging the business community is essential for all neighbourhood areas.

Neighbourhood forums are essential for neighbourhood planning. Forums must meet legal requirements, aiming to improve the local area's well-being, with diverse memberships. Forming a forum involves community engagement, events, stakeholder involvement, and liaising with planning authorities. Forums need a clear constitution and can be unincorporated or incorporated bodies. The application for forum designation requires a written constitution, a neighbourhood area map, and public consultation. Local planning authorities must support neighbourhood planning, providing access to evidence and notifying forums of relevant planning applications.

To ensure community involvement and transparency in neighbourhood planning, start with awareness-raising activities. Use various channels like local media, libraries, social media, and events to publicise the plan. Create a dedicated plan website for updates and contact information. Engage with key stakeholders and local partners who can provide support and contribute to the plan's development.

Drafting a neighbourhood plan involves utilising evidence and community engagement outcomes to identify key issues, which inform the plan's vision, aims, policies, and potential designations. It necessitates effective leadership and decision-making skills, as tough choices may arise. The plan's structure can include an introduction, vision, evidence, community engagement summary, green space designations, site allocations, planning policies, supporting guidance, infrastructure proposals, and matters beyond the plan's scope. Aims should strike a balance between ambition and realism and be derived from community feedback and evidence. Policies should be clear, concise, and aligned with existing planning documents, while infrastructure requirements must be realistic and evidence-based.

Pre-submission consultation, as per Regulation 14, is required before sending a draft neighbourhood plan to the local authority for examination. It must last at least 6 weeks and be approved by the neighbourhood planning body. Prior to this, discussing the draft plan with the local planning authority is wise to address basic condition concerns. Requirements include publicising the plan to residents and businesses, consulting statutory bodies, neighbouring councils, landowners, businesses, and community organisations, and providing accessible information. All received comments should be considered, and decisions to amend the plan must be documented for inclusion in the consultation statement. The modified draft is then submitted to the local authority.

The draft neighbourhood plan proposal must be submitted to the local planning authority and include a map or statement identifying the plan's area, a consultation statement summarising engagement efforts, the plan proposal, and a statement demonstrating how it meets basic conditions. The local authority checks legal compliance, publicises the plan, and arranges an independent examination, and a referendum. The consultation statement should encompass previous community engagement and the Regulation 14 consultation, detailing who was consulted, how the main issues were raised, and how they were addressed. The basic conditions statement demonstrates compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework, sustainable development, local plan conformity and legal requirements for the plan proposal.

The local planning authority appoints an independent examiner, ensuring their impartiality and expertise in planning. The examiner reviews the neighbourhood plan, taking into account public comments, and checks compliance with legal requirements. They assess national policy alignment, contribution to sustainable development and conformity with local policies. The examiner's report recommends proceeding to a referendum with or without modifications. The local authority determines the referendum voting area and ensures plan compliance, with potential modifications and additional consultation. The authority covers the examination and referendum costs.

The local authority arranges a referendum on the neighbourhood plan, with public notification and a specified question. Eligible voters decide whether to use the plan for planning applications in the area. If over 50% vote 'yes', the plan becomes part of the development plan. Factors for a 'yes' vote include thorough engagement, transparency, and addressing diverse local needs. Business areas require separate residential and non-domestic ratepayer referendums.

Once a neighbourhood plan is successfully adopted, it becomes part of the local development plan, impacting development management decisions. Regular monitoring ensures compliance, while updates may be needed due to changes in planning legislation or local policies. Minor changes can be made by the local planning authority, while significant revisions go through the process again. A referendum isn't required for minor modifications deemed acceptable by the examiner.