Why a Neighbourhood Plan?

A Neighbourhood Plan is way for local people to influence the planning and development of the area in which they live and work for the next 10-15 years.  Although Plans have to focus on planning matters (things that needs planning permission) they can also include non-planning topics to address areas of concern or ambitions of the community; for example the Plan can include proposals for:

Improving areas

  • Enhancing current and providing new facilities;
  • Identifies where new homes and other developments should be allowed
  • Influences the design and type of new development
  • Protecting sites and areas of environmental (local green spaces, countryside and wildlife habitats) or historic (woodlands, Church) quality and other treasured assets
  • Protecting facilities of community importance (such as open spaces, village hall)

Once approved,  Local Authority Planners will have to take notice of it although it is not binding. However, without a Neighbourhood Plan, we would have little, or no, control over any development that takes place. It will also help us to identify the facilities and services that need to be in place to meet the demands of our community.

 

A Neighbourhood Plan cannot:

  • Propose less development than in the Local Plan
  • Stop all development taking place in our neighbourhood
  • Be in conflict with local national or (for the time being) EU policies
  • Make policy beyond its remit - for example on bus routes/timetables or act to reduce nuisance issues like fly tipping or dog poo, but your views on such issues in this survey will assist the PC and Babergh DC in addressing them.
  • Be prepared without community input, support, consultation and, ultimately, a local referendum.

 

Government Policy Change

At present Local Authorities still take account of residents’ views when considering planning applications, but due to an introduction of “an assumption in favour of sustainable development” by the Government in 2011, gradually Local Authorities will give objections less and less ‘weight’. Eventually any community without a Neighbourhood Plan could have little or no say or influence at all on development within their Parish. To balance this, the Government introduced the ability for communities to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan.  The idea was that residents would be invited to set out exactly what they wanted in a Neighbourhood Plan.  When complete, the Plan will form part of the Statutory Development Plan for the area; meaning the District Council and Planning Inspectors will have to take note of what it says when considering planning applications;  whilst also taking into account the Local Plan and National Planning Guidelines.