Neighbourhood Planning

1. Neighbourhood Planning Emerging plans at local and neighbourhood level Louise Hilder Principal Planning Officer Spatial Planning

2. Overview • Introduction to Cheshire West and Chester • Neighbourhood planning in the borough • Case Study – Tattenhall & District NDP • The challenges • The learning

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

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

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

7. Neighbourhood Planning

9. Support offered • Dedicated web site and toolkit for self service • Nominated planning staff • Provided training – with partners – Planning Aid • Monthly newsletter

10. Case Study - Tattenhall

11. Tattenhall

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

13. April 2011 Announced as Front Runner • May 2011 Steering Group established • May – June 2012 Vision and Objectives Consultation • Nov – Dec 2012 Draft Plan consultation • Jan 2013 Area Application Approved • June – July 2013 Publicity Stage Consultation • Aug 2013 Hearing • Oct 2013 Referendum • Nov 2013 Judicial Review application made • December 2013 Judicial Review allowed • March 2014 High Court case heard

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

15. The legal challenge • Failure to meet SEA Directive • Failure to meet the basic conditions • Apparent bias of the Examiner • Lack of evidence to support Policy 1: Housing • Late introduction of heritage designation following Examination (withdrawn)

16. The outcome and implications

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

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

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

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

21. Contact Details Email neighbourhoodplanning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Telephone 01244 973887 Web http://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/planning_and_building_control/neighbourhood_planning.aspx