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Planning Aid England Our Experience. John Romanski BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI – Senior Neighbourhood Planning Advisor. What we do. provide free, independent, professional planning advice to people who do not have the means to pay professional fees
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Planning Aid EnglandOur Experience John Romanski BA (Hons) DipTP MRTPI – Senior Neighbourhood Planning Advisor
What we 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 2
Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning 2013-2015 • 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
Examination • Arranged and funded by LPA • So what does this have to do with the Qualifying Body? • Integral to the process • They have the power of veto • Burdens money can only be claimed on successful examination
What are we advising groups? • What is the examination process? • What needs to be submitted for Examination? • What Examiners are looking at? • What is not relevant to the Examination? • What Examiners will be recommending? • What they require from the LPA?
Process • Arranged and funded by LPA • Appointment must be agreed with the Qualifying Body • Independent • No interest in the land • Appropriate qualifications and experience • Default position of written reps • Hearing may be required • Production of report with recommendations… • None binding… LPA makes decision
What Should be Submitted • Map of the NA • Draft plan, BCS and CS • Evidence! • SEA (if required… screening opinion if not)
What are Examiners Looking at? • Compliance with the Basic Conditions! • Land use planning policies • Consultation responses • Referendum area
Examiners will not look at… • Non land use planning policies • Compliance with emerging policy • Representations that do not deal with the basic conditions
Examiner’s Recommendation • Pass, pass with modifications or Fail! • Appropriateness of the referendum area • None binding! • Group and LPA need to agree any modifications
What do Groups Need from You? • Advice on what a land use planning policy is (and is not!) • Evidence to support policy direction • Confirmation on what strategic policies are and their implication for proposed policy • Input form Development Management colleagues • SEA screening
What is the QB’s view of Examination? • Feel excluded from the process • Not always clear on necessity for modifications • Issues being raised at post submission consultation • Examiner often seen as faceless entity • Losing control of their destiny
Top Tips for Groups • Give the Examiner a fighting chance! • Clear and concise layout • Evidence clearly cross referenced • Planning policies clearly identifiable • Engage with the LPA earlier than the submission stage • DM and Policy officers • Evidence base • Strategic policy context
Contact Details Neighbourhood Planning Support: info@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk Advice Line: 0330 123 9244 E-mail: john.romanski@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk
Neighbourhood Plan Examinations‘Top Tips for Local Authorities’Chris Collison NPIERS PAS Neighbourhood Planning Workshop 29 April 2014 Leeds