04/07/2016. Contents. The importance of neighbourhood planning. What is a neighbourhood plan? Neighbourhood planning in Leeds

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1 Contents The importance of neighbourhood planning What is a neighbourhood plan? Neighbourhood planning in Leeds Opportunities and challenges "If there is an up to date Neighbourhood Plan in place, and a developer wants to do something outside those plans...that should be the hardest thing they ever try to do. It should be pretty much impossible to achieve." Brandon Lewis Housing and Planning Minister March

2 Neighbourhood planning policies can cover a broad spectrum of issues: Housing - Where it should go and what it should look like Encourage new employment uses Protect and enhance the High Street Decide how community infrastructure levy money is spent Protect and enhance green spaces Define and secure local heritage The plan will be tested by an independent examiner against the BASIC CONDITIONS: 1. Be appropriate, having regard to national policies and advice 2. Be in general conformity with strategic local policies of the development plan 3. Contribute to sustainable development 4. Be compatible with EU obligations "Do you want [local planning authority] to use the neighbourhood plan for [neighbourhood area] to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?" Top 5 Policies: 1. Promote local distinctiveness 2. Parking Standards 3. Pedestrian & cycle routes 4. Scale, height and density of new developments 5. Affordable Housing - 89% of made neighbourhood plans have policies to shape new housing development - 54% of made plans allocate sites for new housing - 51% of made plans encourage new employment uses 2

3 Neighbourhood planning in Leeds Thame Examination Hearing The Leeds NP context 35 neighbourhood areas (13 neighbourhood forums) Core strategy adopted November 2014 Housing target 66,000 homes Site Allocations Plan Publication Draft (consultation 22- September-16 November 2015) CIL introduced April 2015 (25% to areas with made plans) 1 st Leeds Referendum 17 th Dec 2015 (Linton) 6 pre-submission consultations, 2 plans submitted for examination Involvement of inner-city/deprived communities Wide variety of objectives and approaches Most groups have some funding/consultant support Leeds is a microcosm of what is happening in the country Levels of collaboration vary significantly Neighbourhood plans in Leeds - best practice, opportunities and lessons learnt Clifford Includes a Proposal to allocate the village green for housing and to create a new village green adjacent to the community hall 1. Clifford Neighbourhood Plan (Parished) Plan Submitted for examination April Includes a proposal to allocate the village green for housing and to create a new village green adjacent to the community hall. 2. Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan (Non-parished) Pre-submission consultation June-July Using the plan to attract regeneration and investment to a deprived inner-city community. 3. Linton Neighbourhood Plan (parished) Referendum Dec % turnout, 48% yes. A fairly protectionist plan. Legal challenge to post-examination changes. 3

4 The Vision Holbeck will have a thriving local centre with a range of community facilities, a choice of quality but affordable housing, a variety of local job opportunities, all set in a green environment, respecting the heritage and local character of the area, and well connected to the city centre Holbeck Pre-Submission Plan Objectives A thriving local centre A range of community facilities High quality and affordable housing A variety of job opportunities A green environment Respecting heritage and local character A well-connected neighbourhood For more information: The Vision The distinctive character and appearance of Linton shall be preserved and enhanced, with particular reference to the Conservation Area, by ensuring positive management of future developments with appropriate density and tailored to the future needs of Linton residents. A safer and more secure environment will be developed, particularly as regards highways so that Linton continues to be a safe and peaceful rural community. Existing green space will be protected and preserved, and new additional community open space and footpaths will be created not only to improve the quality of life for all people who live and work in Linton but also to enhance the visual appearance of the area. To continue building a stronger community spirit and greater cohesion, local residents will be consulted and involved in monitoring this Plan and delivering the Projects. Linton A fairly protectionist NP, no allocations but design policies for growth Legal challenge Application for permission to apply for judicial review of the decision of the Council to allow the Linton Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to referendum, rejected by Judge Roger Kaye as totally without merit. However, an appeal was lodged and the Court of Appeal have agreed to consider one of the four grounds later in

5 Neighbourhood planning research Opportunities Relationships and trust Governance and organisation Understanding the process Using and procuring evidence Resourcing time and money Engagement with groups across the community The relationship to the local plan Writing policies Housing allocations and scale Using consultants Project planning the process Fatigue More positive working relationships Between LPA s, communities and business Better understanding of strategic and community needs Improved design Housing delivery Designate Local Greenspace Community empowerment and self-help Deliver infrastructure and projects Improve local sustainability Contact Ian Mackay City Development Leeds City Council 2 Rossington Street Leeds LS2 8HD Ian.mackay@leeds.gov.uk 5