Localism ~ whats it all about in Town and Country Planning Terms - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Localism ~ what’s it all about in Town and Country Planning Terms

What it is not  It’s not a hands up development management system  It’s not about responding to the popularist view when judging planning applications, unless that is supported by facts and evidence.  It’s not about community groups or town/parish councils determining planning applications in their own area  It is not about the Government giving up its centralised role Mr Pickles acquired new powers under the Localism Act

The Big Picture Several strands of change are coming together:  Council’s potentially have to earn their own formula grant by promoting development: – New Homes Bonus – Retained business rates  Developers will pay for major infrastructure through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and for on site infrastructure through S106s.  The Local Enterprise Partnership (replacing the RDAs) will channel Government grants and soft loans.  Abolition of Regional and Structure Plans – replaced by Duty to Co-operate across boundaries.

 Abolition of all PPGs’ & PPs’ and replaced with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). – Technical guidance – flood risk and minerals policy – Gypsy and Traveller guidance paper – Local Plan Regulations – Neighbourhood Planning Regulations.  Major Infrastructure and Environment Unit being set up to help developers of major infrastructure projects with getting through the minefield of complying with European Habitats and Wild Bird Directives.

 Localism Act which promotes – Simplifying planning rules and strengthening enforcement rules – Community right to challenge, bid, build and veto excessive council tax rise – General power of competence for LA’s – legal capacity to do anything that an individual may do that is not specifically prohibited by other laws.

Themes  The more you build the more you earn  All policy formulation will be local, not central  All levels of local Government, Counties, Unitaries, Districts, Town and Parish will need to co-operate with each other.  Communities can plan their own future, if they do the work.

The National Planning Policy Framework ‘The purpose of planning is to help achieve sustainable development’ Sustainable means: ensuring that better lives for ourselves don’t mean worse lives for future generations. Sustainable development is about positive growth – making economic, environmental and social progress for this and future generations. Rt. Hon. Greg Clark MP Former Minister for Planning Foreword to the NPPF

Presumption in favour of Sustainable development Has anything changed? Not a lot.

Key elements of the NPPF  Local Plans not Local Development Framework.  Windfalls are back in but not those in gardens.  Cross subsidised rural housing schemes for delivering affordable homes.  5 year land supply + 5% 20%  Set town centre parking charges that does not undermine vitality of the High Street.  Needs of service providers introduced.  Bring in empty homes strategy and use compulsory purchase powers.  Rural workers homes, not just agricultural/forestry workers.  Refuse poor design – use of design panels

 Promoting healthy communities  Distinguish between hierarchy of landscape designation – protection similar to existing policy.  Identify and protect areas of tranquillity. Balance Economic, Environmental and Social objectives

A Sound Plan  Positively prepared  Justified  Effective  Consistent with National Policy

Voluntary not mandatory General conformity Examination + with Local Plan referendum – LA pays for these Neighbourhood Plans Need to be supported by evidence base and be Provide more not tested for equalities, less development sustainability, compliance than the Local Plan with EU Regulations Approved DM policies in Neighbourhood Plans take precedence over those in the Local Plan

Neighbourhood Plans – a Powerful Tool  Choose development sites for equal to or more than the Local Plan allocation  Set design standards  Implement neighbourhood Development Orders  Create planning policies  Implement Community Right to Build Orders BUT it’s a lot of hard work, a complex system and it requires a majority vote in favour at the end of the process ~ which Local Plans don’t

Conclusions 1. Development Management remains a quasi judicial process 2. Local Plans are back. 3. Neighbourhood Planning is for the brave and determined 4. The Government wants to see growth in housing nos., the economy and supporting infrastructure. 5. The environment generally remains safe.