Proposals aimed at making it easier for local community groups to influence the planning process have been green lit by the government
The government has revealed it will press ahead with proposals to reform neighbourhood planning. The news comes after the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) published the results of a consultation into the reforms.
Neighbourhood planning gives community groups a say in the planning process and a voice in their local area.
Under the Localism Act 2011, communities were given the right to have their say through a Neighbourhood Plan. This becomes part of the local authority’s Local Plan. It was hoped this would give community groups will have the opportunity to produce plans that have weight in the planning system and reduce the amount of objections to new developments.
Currently, some 1,900 communities across England have started the process of neighbourhood planning. The system has a good success rate, with all 200 plans that progressed to the referendum stage since 2013 gaining approval from voters. In fact, an average of 89 per cent of people who voted were in favour the plans proposed for their area.
The changes published on Friday would see councils designate all of the neighbourhood area applied for by parish councils as soon as possible. This would replace the current requirement to consider an application within eight weeks.
Furthermore, the plans suggest councils should decide on an application to designate a neighbourhood forum within 13 weeks. This will help groups without parish councils to lead neighbourhood planning in their area.
Councils will also have a five week period to decide if a draft plan meets conditions and legal tests.
Additionally, the Secretary of State will have the power to intervene in disputes between neighbourhood groups and councils. This power will only be used “in exceptional circumstances”.
The consultation document can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/implementation-of-planning-changes-technical-consultation
