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Neighbourhood Planning Learning from Cerne Valley the West Dorset perspective

Neighbourhood Planning Learning from Cerne Valley the West Dorset perspective David Evans – Environment Director West Dorset District Council. October 2011. West Dorset. Rural district – 138 parishes 6 town councils 38 parish councils, 24 grouped councils 8 parish meetings

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Neighbourhood Planning Learning from Cerne Valley the West Dorset perspective

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  1. Neighbourhood Planning Learning from Cerne Valleythe West Dorset perspective David Evans – Environment DirectorWest Dorset District Council October 2011

  2. West Dorset • Rural district – 138 parishes • 6 town councils • 38 parish councils, 24 grouped councils • 8 parish meetings • Covering 400 sq miles(1,000 km²) • Population of just under 100,000

  3. West Dorset • Environment vs. economy • 71% AONB • World Heritage coastline • 55 SSSIs and over 560 SNCIs • SAMs – Cerne Giant, Maiden Castle... • Low average wage level • High land costs • Poor communications • Shortage of labour with relevant skills, and lack of affordable housing…

  4. Our Front Runners • Central Government invited councils to ‘bid’ to be a front-runner • Gauged interest through our WDP annual assembly – 13 volunteered • Through selection put forward: • Cerne Valley (first wave) • Sherborne (third wave) • As part of our bid we said we wanted to work on a new-style Local Plan

  5. What have we learned so far? • How the plan fits in the system • What it will cover • Who will prepare it • How long it will take • What resourcing it will need • What could trip us up?

  6. How the plan fits… • Part of the development plan • cannot override strategic policies / growth targets • S38(6) status – decide in accordance unless material considerations indicate otherwise • Working out our strategic policies in tandem… • how locally do we set housing targets? • could this come too late? • Local control vs. material considerations • asking for clarity on the neighbourhood development order

  7. How the plan fits… • Need to accord with EU and HR legislation • SEA / EIA requirements • Right to be heard • Who is responsible for the SEA/EIA? • We don’t currently have an existing Sustainability Appraisal • Local ownership / acceptance of options / vs. LPA or external expertise • How are consultation responses handled?

  8. What will it cover? • (subject to the tests) its up to them… • Location of development / development boundaries / criteria • A new housing / employment site • What infrastructure you hope to fund • Design standards • Permitted development rights • Single issue - or - belt and braces? • When a plan is silent…

  9. Who will prepare it? • Parish Council • LPA: hands-off approach • Steering group established - ToR • Defined membership – parish councillors and local people who “bring value to the project”, plus clerk and LPA link officer • Declaration of personal interests • Non-decision making • Closed meetings but reporting regularly to the Parish Council

  10. How are they prepared? • Parish council / Neighbourhood Forum initiates process but the Borough / district council must agree the area to be covered • Local community develops plan Borough / district council has duty to support • Draft plan submitted to the council • ‘Light touch’ public examinationchecked against national and locally strategic policies, and EU legislation • Local referendum – if clear majority (51% of those that vote), the plan is adopted 1 2 3 4 5

  11. How long will it take? 9 months 9 months 9 months

  12. What resourcing will it need? • No direct funding for parish councils • £20k funding at LPA’s discretion – intended to cover LPA’s costs (referendum, examination etc) • Other sources? • sponsorship from a local businesses • fund-raising events • Parish council precept • Council grant scheme (discretionary) • Referendum costs may vary widely • Parish budgets and precepts set in advance • Concerns over ‘trust’ if developer-sponsored

  13. What resourcing will it need? • Free advice / support through: • District Council • The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment • Locality • Campaign to Protect Rural England • RTPI Planning Aid • Link officer time / resources • Resource-intensive initially – learning curve • Building trust between the council and the community • Ability / knowledge to link with other council and external support services

  14. What resourcing will it need? • Princes Foundation • Helping us run a facilitated 3-day community planning event later this year (but not Saturday…) • Locality – for the next steps? • CPRE – no tailored advice • RTPI Planning Aid – not in a deprived area • Design Council – village walk around (free) • Other – AMT daily rate ranges from £250 to £350 per day (excluding expenses)

  15. What could trip us up? • Not explaining the relationship with thelocal plan and parish plans • Changes in elected councillors • Momentum vs. volunteer time • Full community engagement (especially in larger settlements) • Managing expectations • Scope of plan, funding for infrastructure, viability • Managing our resources • 69% keen, only 6% said they had no interest in preparing a neighbourhood plan

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