Neighbourhood planning in the news

Keep up to date with the latest developments in neighbourhood planning with our news items and county update.

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Neighbourhood Planning News

Here you will find the latest news and government updates about neighbourhood planning.

These brief newsletters aim to help those involved and interested in neighbourhood planning keep up to date with news, activity and any important changes in neighbourhood planning both nationally and locally.
The government has been clear that all members of society are required to adhere to guidance to help combat the spread of coronavirus. The guidance has implications for neighbourhood planning and publicity and consultation will require a different approach. We have therefore prepared a short briefing note on the matter for town and parish councils.
As you may be aware, the government has recently consulted on proposed reforms to the Planning System. These proposals are set out in the White Paper: Planning for the Future. 

The current proposals confirm that Neighbourhood Planning will be retained. The government wishes to continue and indeed spread their use. They also want communities to be supported to make better use of digital tools. There may be changes to the content of future neighbourhood plans: the government is considering whether they should become more focused, to reflect proposals for reforms to Local Plans. In essence the intention is to simplify Local Plans; a key headline is that Local Plans would identify three types of land – Growth areas suitable for substantial development, Renewal areas suitable for development, and areas that are protected. 
 
In relation to Neighbourhood Plans, the government asked two questions:
 
13(a). Do you agree that Neighbourhood Plans should be retained in the reformed planning system?
 
13(b). How can the neighbourhood planning process be developed to meet our objectives, such as in the use of digital tools and reflecting community preferences about design?

Our responses to these questions are available here. The County Council's response to the full White Paper is available here. 

If you have any queries, which the Council's Neighbourhood Planning team may assist with, please get in touch.

Neighbourhood Planning Team
Telephone: 0345 600 6400
The Additional Grant and technical support criteria has been extended to support designated neighbourhood forums, and groups based in deprived areas (where 30% or more of the neighbourhood area or population is in the 20% most deprived areas in England in accordance with the Index of Multiple Deprivation).

The offer of additional grant is also backed up by some direct support from consultants engaged through the government's neighbourhood planning support programme. Further information is available via the Locality website.

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