Neighbourhood plans
A neighbourhood plan provides an assessment of land use, infrastructure and aspirations for development and conservation.
Contents
- What is a neighbourhood plan?
- The neighbourhood plan process
- Made (completed) neighbourhood plans
What is a neighbourhood plan?
Purpose
To assess character and set guidelines to influence what future development should look like.
Status
A neighbourhood plan forms part of the local authority development plan (subject to an independent examination and support by local referendum). It might also result in a 'Neighbourhood Development Order' which (subject to an independent examination and support by local referendum) will set out development proposals without the need to seek planning permission.
The document
It will be expected to include an audit of land use and infrastructure together with views and opinion about local need and aspirations for conservation and development. It results in policies on objectives for the area, infrastructure priorities, and a map outlining open space of community importance, assets of community value and locations for development.
The neighbourhood plan process
The Localism Act introduces a new right for a parish council or a neighbourhood forum to produce a 'neighbourhood development plan' setting out policies against which traditional planning applications could be judged.
These policies could cover:
- planning objectives for the neighbourhood
- the broad planning context (e.g. transport connections), local facilities, services
- key neighbourhood projects and infrastructure priorities
- development management policies on housing, economic development, environment
- site-specific policies on housing, economic development and environmental issues
- changes in the coverage of some planning designations
Proceeding to a referendum
When a parish or town council's draft plan has been approved by an independent examiner, Uttlesford District Council is asked to put a question to voters of the relevant area at a referendum.
The question usually asks voters if they want Uttlesford District Council to use the neighbourhood plan when deciding planning applications in the area.
Groups supporting or opposing a referendum
If you are involved with a campaign group that supports or opposes a neighbourhood plan referendum you will need to tell us the names and contact details of the group's chair and vice-chair. Please send these to elections@uttlesford.gov.uk
Guide
We have put together a guide on Neighbourhood Planning Referendums (PDF) [329KB] . This provides information for district ward councillors, parish councillors and campaigners on restrictions on publicity during the referendum period and the limits on expenses.
Expenses
An expenses form based on the Electoral Commission's expenses return for elections has been adapted for campaigners to use should they so wish. There is no legal requirement to make a return to the Counting Officer.
Neighbourhood Area and Forum consultations
If a local community group within Uttlesford wants to establish a Neighbourhood Area and Neighbourhood Forum we have to run a public consultation.
Lindsell Parish Neighbourhood Area and Forum consultation
Designated plan areas
Uttlesford District Council have designated a number of Neighbourhood Plan Areas.
Broxted & Cherry Green Neighbourhood Plan
Flitch Green Neighbourhood Plan
Great Easton, Duton Hill and Tilty Neighbourhood Plan
Hatfield Broad Oak Neighbourhood Plan
Hatfield Heath Neighbourhood Plan
Lindsell Parish Neighbourhood Plan
Little Dunmow Neighbourhood Plan
Little Easton Neighbourhood Plan
Little Hallingbury Neighbourhood Plan
Stansted Mountfitchet Neighbourhood Plan
Made (completed) neighbourhood plans
Great and Little Chesterford Neighbourhood Plan
Great Dunmow Neighbourhood Plan
Newport and Quendon & Rickling Neighbourhood Plan
Saffron Walden Neighbourhood Plan
Review and revision of neighbourhood plans
There is no requirement to review or update a neighbourhood plan.
However, policies in a neighbourhood plan may become out of date, for example if they conflict with policies in a local plan covering the neighbourhood area that is adopted after the making of the neighbourhood plan. In such cases, the more recent plan policy takes precedence.
In addition, where a policy has been in force for a period of time, other material considerations may be given greater weight in planning decisions as the evidence base for the plan policy becomes less robust.
Plans under review
Felsted Neighbourhood Plan review
Newport and Quendon & Rickling Neighbourhood Plan review
Additional information
► An introduction to neighbourhood planning on GOV.UK
► How to implement, monitor, and review a made neighbourhood plan on neighbourhoodplanning.org
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