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Neighbourhood Planning Louise Hilder Principal Planning Officer Spatial Planning Emerging plans at local and neighbourhood level Slide 2 Overview 1.Introduction to Cheshire West and Chester 2.Neighbourhood planning in the borough 3.Case Study Tattenhall & District NDP 4.The challenges 5.The learning Slide 3 Slide 4 Cheshire West and Chester New authority April 2009 Fourth largest authority in North West 329,000 residents Historic City of Chester Towns of Ellesmere Port; Northwich and Winsford Large rural area and key service centres North Cheshire Green Belt Slide 5 Planning Context No up to date Local Plan - 3 adopted Local Plans from former districts Preparation of new Local Plan for borough began 2009 Two part Local Plan in development: Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies Lack of five year housing land supply Slide 6 Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies Strategic development requirements New housing, employment and retail requirements Area based with supporting economic, social and environmental policies Submitted for Examination December 2013 Pre Inquiry meeting held Examination hearings June/July 2014 Slide 7 Neighbourhood Planning 4 Front runners 19 Neighbourhood Areas 2 Draft plans through Publicity Stage Consultation 1 Plan - Examination and Referendum 1 Legal challenge Slide 8 Slide 9 Support offered Dedicated web site and toolkit for self service Nominated planning staff Provided training with partners Planning Aid Monthly newsletter Slide 10 Case Study - Tattenhall Slide 11 Tattenhall Slide 12 Tattenhall & District NDP 8 miles south east of Chester Tattenhall Key Rural Service Centre 2000 population 3 parishes History of community planning Developer pressure Slide 13 April 2011Announced as Front Runner May 2011Steering Group established May June 2012 Vision and Objectives Consultation Nov Dec 2012Draft Plan consultation Jan 2013Area Application Approved June July 2013 Publicity Stage Consultation Aug 2013 Hearing Oct 2013Referendum Nov 2013 Judicial Review application made December 2013Judicial Review allowed March 2014High Court case heard Slide 14 Content Positive growth for the future of the area Change for the benefit of the community Six policies: Housing growth- Local character Local economy- Local facilities Landscape and environment Transport and communications Slide 15 The legal challenge 1.Failure to meet SEA Directive 2.Failure to meet the basic conditions 3.Apparent bias of the Examiner 4.Lack of evidence to support Policy 1: Housing 5.Late introduction of heritage designation following Examination (withdrawn) Slide 16 The outcome and implications Slide 17 To plan or not to plan? YES 3 years of working together 5000 community volunteer hours Developing planning skills in the community Community building and engagement Slide 18 Challenges for the LPA No firm guidance or examples to follow Advising not dictating Managing expectations Interaction with development management Staffing the support required Setting up new internal procedures Funding SEA and HRA requirements Slide 19 The learning Ensure good record keeping Need to have confidence in the evidence supporting the plan Be prepared to be honest and have difficult conversations better in the long run Neighbourhood Plan process not necessarily light touch just different Slide 20 The learning (2) Ultimate responsibility lies with LPA Believe in Neighbourhood Planning and the power it provides to communities It is a powerful engagement tool between LPAs and neighbourhoods with long lasting benefits Slide 21 Contact Details Email neighbourhoodplanning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Telephone 01244 973887 Web http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/planni ng_and_building_control/neighbourhood_planning.aspx