planning aid england neighbourhood planning: lessons learned
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Planning Aid EnglandNeighbourhood Planning: Lessons LearnedJohn Romanski BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI Senior PAE Advisor
What does Planning Aid England do?
• Provide free, independent, professional planning advice to people who do not have the means to pay professional fees
• Provide support and training to local communities so they can influence and contribute to planning strategy, policy and decision making
• Focus on Neighbourhood Planning Support
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Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning 2013-2015
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• DCLG supported programme launched on 15 April 2013 and applications opened on 1 May 2013
• Two main aspects to support: grants and direct support
• Also a shared learning element • There is one consortium delivering the programme,
rather than four support organisations as before• The programme is open to groups who have already
had SCNP support and to new groups
We Provide a Valuable Service…
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Challenges Faced by Communities
• Setting up Forums• Project planning• Resourcing• Engaging hard to reach
groups• Understanding what
land use planning policies are
• Writing policy
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Even More Challenges!
• SEA• Engaging constructively• Separating fact from
opinion• Supporting statements• Resourcing• Knowing when to stop
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Examples of good LPA engagementLeeds
Holbeck•Intensive support over 18 months from officers of both Development Dept. (Planning) and Citizens & Communities Dept. •Technical/admin support •Attendance at Forum meetings, Support Group meetings
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Leeds Neighbourhood Planning Agreement sets out the role and responsibilities of the Council, qualifying body and support organisations
Examples of good LPA engagementLeedsLinton
•Attendance at group meetings in order to provide detailed comments on final emerging drafts •Detailed email comments
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• Provide excellent officer support (across 6 or more Planning officers)
Leeds City Council•Hold a quarterly NP Steering Group meeting
Examples of good LPA engagementCamden
•Supporting highest number of Neighbourhood Forums in London (10); Kentish Town, Highgate, Somers Town, Fitzrovia, West Hampstead •Dedicated officers•Cross-boundary plans & complex issues (e.g. HS2)•Regular attendance at forum meetings, comments on policies by email
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What can local authorities do to offer more support to groups?
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• Understanding the policy context and its implications• Determining patterns/extent of growth that the NP will want
to respond to• Providing comments on early ideas for policy/iterations• Committing to attend number of forum meetings• Ensuring that groups are aware of key policies in the local
plan and London Plan• Keeping groups aware/enabling access to emerging new
evidence if plan is being reviewed.• Providing consistency and clarity throughout the process• Enable DM to give comments on emerging policy.• Consistency!
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Contact Details
[email protected] 206 1881
Advice Line: 0330 123 9244E-mail: [email protected]
www.rtpi.org.uk/planningaid