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Neighbourhood Planning in Wolverhampton

Neighbourhood Planning in Wolverhampton. The Presentation. The Wolverhampton context, and the story so far The Neighbourhood Plans Emerging Issues Governance and Project Management Lessons leaned Next steps Questions. Strategic Planning context.

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Neighbourhood Planning in Wolverhampton

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  1. Neighbourhood Planning in Wolverhampton

  2. The Presentation • The Wolverhampton context, and the story so far • The Neighbourhood Plans • Emerging Issues • Governance and Project Management • Lessons leaned • Next steps • Questions

  3. Strategic Planning context • Black Country Core Strategy adopted February 2011 based on reversing population decline, supporting economic growth and environmental enhancement. • Target of 14,000 new homes, improved employment areas and vibrant City Centre by 2026 for Wolverhampton. • Core Strategy identifies a Growth Network of the City Centre and Regeneration Corridors where new development will be focussed. • Area Action Plans being prepared to promote development in the Growth Network. • Neighbourhood Plans will also support the Core Strategy by providing a detailed planning framework for some areas outside the Growth Network.

  4. Neighbourhood Planning – the story so far • Bid for Frontrunner status in March 2011 for three Plans. • DCLG award of £20,000 to progress each plan • Cabinet approval to progress the Heathfield Park and Tettenhall Plans secured in June, and Bilston in September 2011. • Plans largely based on Local Neighbourhood Partnership areas • Sustainability Appraisals being undertaken on all Plans

  5. Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan • Attractive western suburban fringe location with areas of Green Belt, outside the Growth Network • Population of 22,000 and high proportion of professional households • Strong community interest in planning with existing LNP Planning and Conservation Group • Area sought after by property developers to build high quality homes • Pressure on back-land development out of character with the area

  6. Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan – Progress so far • Community initiated - long standing interest in Planning • Community Steering Group regularly meet to progress NP (set up in July 2011) – approx 10 people • Stakeholder Workshop Nov 2011 – run by the Princes Foundation • Community Launch Feb / March 2012 – to gain consensus on issues. • Theme Group workshops and road shows being undertaken • Household and Business Survey programmed for Summer 2012, along with other technical work.

  7. Emerging Issues…. • Traffic and congestion • Providing a better choice and mix of housing, but with limited opportunities for new development • Protecting environmental assets, local character and distinctiveness • Better access to employment opportunities • Protection of community facilities and better local services • Reconciling competing priorities • There is strong commonality on these issues for the Neighbourhood Plans being prepared

  8. Governance arrangements and the role of the Council • Governance arrangements • Community directly supported by Local Neighbourhood Partnership Officers on a day to day basis as well as regular liaison with Planning Officer • Sign off of work by the Local Neighbourhood Partnership Board • Approvals currently required from WCC Cabinet at key stages • Community Resource • People committed to the Plan, some with Planning skills others dedicating time • Monthly Steering Group meetings to progress Plans, with additional meetings during busy periods • Steering Group essential, with sub-groups where/when needed

  9. Governance arrangements and the role of the Council • Role of the Council • Agree the neighbourhood boundary • Financial support for evidence, consultation and Examination / referendum £50-70K per plan in addition to CLG grant. • Professional support of 2.5 FTE between Planning and LNP Service for the three Plans • Procurement of technical evidence • Pre-examination check • Organise and pay for the examination / referendum • Adopt

  10. Adopting a Project management approach • Develop a Project Plan • Agree terms of reference for the Steering Groups and any sub-groups. • Confirm role and responsibilities of partners – Council Officers and Members, Community Group and stakeholders • Agree timetable and stick to it. • Identify key risks and actively manage them.

  11. How much evidence and at what cost? • Core Strategy evidence provides good starting point – strategic Employment and Housing Studies, Flood Risk, Retail and Centres and Transportation. • What else needs to be done to supplement this: • Sustainability appraisal - £5k • Community questionnaire - £12k • Surveys of employment areas and occupiers - £3-5k • Environmental Surveys - £5k • Characterisation Studies - £10k • Masterplan - £10k • Consider the need for professional planning support – for example, to write the final plan (£5k) • Communications and consultation (£10K) • Referendum / Examination costs (£10-20K) • Grand total = £60-90k

  12. Next steps • Neighbourhood Plans, Area Action Plans or Community led Development Plans? • Evidence gathering and Options development Summer 2012 • Draft Plans by December 2012 • Examination / Referendum / Adoption 2013

  13. Lessons learned • Its been a positive experience for all parties. • Buy-in at all levels and across all organisations is critical. • Put a lot of effort in early to make sure project management arrangements are fit for purpose. • There is some flexibility in the way you can prepare the Plan • Local people know their areas well, but use evidence to support the plan. • Celebrate short-term wins to make it real.

  14. Lessons learned • All areas are different but similar issues and themes are emerging. • Don’t underestimate the level of human and financial resource needed. • Success should be measured in a number of ways – appreciate the ‘soft’ wins and not just the end product. • What are the issues in the ‘Neighbourhood’, and what sort of Plan – if any – is needed to respond to this?

  15. Different types of Neighbourhood Plans emerging • Neighbourhood Development • Order (Minor development ) • Residential – minor development • (e.g. house extensions, windows) • Town centre - change of use / • minor changes signage • Business park / industrial estate • minor development • Policy and Allocation • Plans • Neighbourhood plans covering • a narrower range of issues. • Often theme specific • Allocate development sites • for narrow range of uses. • Mini Local Plan • Comprehensive coverage • of policy issues. • Allocate development sites • for wide range of uses • Single Policy Document • Neighbourhood Plan covering • a single policy issue (e.g. • Protection of green space) • Neighbourhood Development • Order (Site specific) • Development of a particular site • (e.g. small housing scheme under • CRtB) • Policy Plans • Neighbourhood plans covering • a broad range of policy issues. • No site allocations. • Similar to Parish Plans. • Augment Local Plan policy The alternative… Better involvement with the Council on the Plans being prepared A collaborative approach where decisions are made together

  16. Questions? • Contact details: craig.rowbottom@wolverhampton.gov.uk • Website links: Wolverhampton LDF -www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/ldf Tettenhall Neighbourhood Plan - www.ourplaceourplan.org.uk Heathfield Park Neighbourhood Plan - www.wton-partnership.org.uk/heathfield-park

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