Community Power
At RCCE, we believe that communities have the power to influence change.
We work with local communities to plan for their future, by supporting parish
councils and community groups in the production of Community Led Plans.
The different types of Community Led Plan are:
- Parish Plans
- Neighbourhood Plans
- Village Design Statements
These are explained below, and in a comparison grid at the foot of the page.
Our dedicated team of Community Engagement Officers can provide direct support by attending meetings, advising on funding and how to
involve everyone in the project. Information Packs are
available to help you through the process and you can see completed examples from
other communities.
We can also put you in touch with other communities who have completed
Community Led Plans and shaped their own future. See information about
the Community
Led Planning Network below
The characteristics of Community Led Plans are:
They are produced by the community at a very local level,
thereby representing the parish as a whole;
They enable local community groups to become actively involved in the decision
making process affecting the future of their parish;
The process of producing a Community Led Plan establishes local needs and
aspirations, highlights issues and priorities, and develops a vision for the
future of the community.
See the TopicSheets for or more details.
What is a Parish Plan?
A Parish Plan determines the future of your community, and
how it can change for the better.
It is a document that sets out a vision for the future of the parish and outlines
how that can be achieved in an Action Plan.
The Parish Plan process may include:
- A Village Appraisal – a household questionnaire to assess needs and aspirations of local people
- Participatory Appraisals – hands-on interactive workshops
- Business Surveys
- Creation of an Action Plan
What is a Village Design Statement?
A Village Design Statement provides an opportunity for your
community to describe how they feel the physical character of the parish can be
enhanced.
It is a document that identifies what is special, unique and distinctive about
the character of the parish.
It provides design guidance to influence change and improve the physical
qualities of the area.
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
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.
(Source: Supporting Communities and Neighbourhoods in
Planning Prospectus - Appendix 2)
Neighbourhood Planning initiatives will be additional to, and not a replacement
for, the existing planning system in England. The plans will be allowed to
accommodate more housing than proposed by the local authority’s development
plan but they will not be able to provide for less. Provided a neighbourhood
development plan is in line with national planning policy, with the strategic
vision for the wider area set by the local authority, and with other legal
requirements, local people will be able to vote on it in a referendum. If the
plan is approved by a majority, then the local authority will bring it into
force.
|
Parish
Plan |
Neighbourhood
Plan |
Design
Statement |
Purpose |
Assess
current and future potential issues and set out an action plan to tackle the
issues. |
Assess
physical (spatial) assets and set out what should be protected and where future
development should go. |
Assess
character and set guidelines to influence what future development should look
like. |
Status |
A
business plan for the community, adopted by the parish council to take
forward in partnership with other organisations. Part of
the Local Development Framework evidence base (NOTE: Some local
authorities have also approved as a material consideration in the
determination of planning applications) |
Part of
the local authority development plan (subject to an independent examination
and support by local referendum) 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. |
Sits
outside the local authority development plan as ‘a material consideration in
the determination of planning applications’ or ‘planning guidance’ (subject
to local authority approval) Some
authorities have adopted VDS as Supplementary Planning Documents to make them
part of the Local Development Plan |
Document |
Description
of the services and facilities and their strengths and weaknesses. |
Expected
to include: |
Assessment
of the character of the built and natural environment. |
For more
information contact the Community
Engagement Team
CommunityLed Planning Leaflet.pdf
Information Packs
RCCE has produced Information Packs to help guide you
through the process of your community led plan.
Information Packs available are:
Parish Plans
This Pack provides information and advice on how to produce a Parish Plan.
Village Design Statements
This Pack provides information and advice on how to produce a Village Design
Statement.
NeighbourhoodPlanning
This is an on-line guide, produced by RCCE in partnership with the
Essex Planning Officers Association and the Essex Community Led Planning
Officer Network.
A PDF version is available to download here.
This guide will draw on RCCE experience of supporting other
types of community led planning but it is important to remember that the
process of Neighbourhood Planning is still being tested.
It is essential that the local planning authority is involved throughout the
process; however, each local authority will have different resources for
neighbourhood planning. Some local authorities work closely with
other organisations that promote community led planning so the combination and
method of support will vary in each local authority area. Before starting work
on a Neighbourhood Plan, communities are advised to contact their local
authority and establish the type of support available in their area.
Statutory Planning
This Pack provides information about the statutory planning system and
opportunities for involvement. The pack explains how to participate in
consultations organised by the local authority and how to influence statutory
plans through the production of community led plans such as Parish Plans and
Village Design Statements.
Involving the Community in Your Project
This Pack provides information and advice to community groups about different
types of surveys - the advantages and disadvantages of different methods, good
practice in carrying out surveys and how to use the information gathered.
Good Neighbour Scheme
This Pack provides information and advice on setting up and running a Good
Neighbour Scheme.
Toolkit for the Natural Environment produced by
Community Council of Devon
This pack provides advice for anyone wanting to get more involved in the
natural environment; through volunPeering with existing projects, getting people
together to set up a new project, or carrying out research. The focus is
on the county of Devon but the general information and advice will be relevant
to Essex as well.
Survey Resource Packs
Workshops
This Resource Pack provides examples and practical advice about Workshops.
Participatory Methods
This Resource Pack provides examples and practical advice about Participatory
Methods.
Finding Factual Information
This Resource Pack provides examples and practical advice about how to find
Factual Information.
Questionnaire
This Resource Pack provides examples and practical advice about Questionnaires.
It is available upon request.
Neighbourhood Planning Guide
This guide has been produced by RCCE in partnership
with the Essex Planning Officers Association and the Essex Community Led
Planning Officer Network.
Thanks are also due to the following for permission to use
extracts from their publications: Richard Squires,
Broadland District Council - Neighbourhood Planning
Guidance.
Riki Therivel, Levett-Therivel & URS - DIY SA
guide.
This guide draws on RCCE experience of supporting other types of community led
planning but it is important to remember that the process of Neighbourhood
Planning is still being tested.
It is essential that the local planning authority is involved throughout the
process; however, each local authority will have different resources for
neighbourhood planning.
The following may also be able to provide
assistance:
Essex
County Council and Unitary Councils
Rural Community Council of Essex
Campaign for the Protection of Rural England in partnership
with the National Association of Local Councils
Planning Aid
Forum for Neighbourhood Planning
Some of these organisations have in the past been funded by
government to Support Communities and Neighbourhoods in Planning and their
assistance may be free of charge (subject to meeting specific criteria).
Others will charge for their support.
Before starting work on a Neighbourhood Plan, communities are advised to
contact their local authority and establish the type of support available in
their area.
The Guide can be viewed below, or downloaded as
a PDF file
Introduction
What it is, why do it and who to involve.
The Process
An overview of the stages and steps
Getting Started
Getting
Organised
Preparing
an Evidence Base
Drafting
Proposals
Finalising your
Plan
INTRODUCTION
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
The Localism Act has introduced a new type of Community Led
Plan.
Communities now have the right to produce a Neighbourhood Plan, setting out
policies on the development and use of land in a parish or neighbourhood
area. The Neighbourhood Plan will show how the level of growth identified
in the Core Strategy / Local Plan is to be met or exceeded.
Once the plan is made, it will become part of the local authority development
plan, a statutory plan against which planning applications will be
judged. A Neighbourhood Plan might also result in a Neighbourhood
Development Order which will grant planning permission for specific development
proposals.
For Neighbourhood Plans or Orders to be adopted, they will need to conform to
planning policies and guidance at the local, national and European level.
They will also need to demonstrate support from the local community through a
referendum.
Why produce a Neighbourhood Plan?
Developing a Neighbourhood Plan can help communities
to play a greater role in determining the future of their area. It is not
a tool to stop development where it is already included in the Core Strategy /
Local Plan; it gives communities the opportunity to shape what that planned
growth will look like and where additional growth might go.
It will bring the community together to share ideas and build consensus about
needs and priorities for the area.
It can also help to create lasting partnerships to take forward actions that
may arise from the process.
If the issues in your neighbourhood do not relate to land use and development,
or if they relate solely to the provision of affordable housing, there may the
other community led solutions that are more appropriate than Neighbourhood
Planning.
NOTE: In a business area, a Neighbourhood Plan can be ‘business-led’ –
this guide focuses on neighbourhoods where the process is led by local
residents.
Who needs to be involved?
The parish council or neighbourhood forum must
initiate and lead the process. They will need to involve the wider
community in the development of the plan: residents, businesses, local groups,
landowners and developers.
It is essential that the local planning authority is involved throughout the
process; they have direct responsibility for some of the steps and have a
wealth of information that will be useful in producing the Neighbourhood
Plan. It may also be necessary to engage other organisations or
commercial consultants to assist with the process.
This guidance clearly shows what the parish council or neighbourhood forum
needs to do at each step in the process, and the type of support it may need
from other organisations. The combination and method of support at each
step will differ in each local authority area.
How do you produce a Neighbourhood Plan?
THE PROCESS
Five broad stages and a list of steps in the process is set
out below. The steps may not necessarily need to be undertaken in this
order and some may be undertaken concurrently. These are suggestions and
may be amended in the light of practical experience as Neighbourhood Plans are
progressed.
From past experience a community led plan takes a minimum of 18 months to
complete. A neighbourhood plan has additional steps, particularly at the
end of the process, which will be beyond the control of the community.
Because a Neighbourhood Plan will become a statutory document, some of
the steps are obligatory. These are shown in bold type in the right
hand column. Click on the stages in the left hand column to find out more
about each of the stages.
|
1.1 |
Prepare a list of local contacts |
1.2 |
Get the community on board |
|
1.3 |
Establish a steering group |
|
1.4 |
Define the ‘neighbourhood area’ and seek approval |
|
|
2.1 |
Develop a communication strategy |
2.2 |
Create a time plan for the process |
|
2.3 |
Determine local skills, expertise and training needs |
|
2.4 |
Prepare a budget |
|
2.5 |
Secure funding |
|
2.6 |
Keep a record of community involvement and consultation |
|
2.7 |
Review existing plans and strategies for the area |
|
2.8 |
Establish the focus of attention for evidence gathering |
|
|
3.1 |
Familiarise yourselves with Sustainability Appraisal
(SA) |
3.2 |
Familiarise yourselves with Equality Impact Assessment
(EIA) |
|
3.3 |
Create a profile of your community |
|
3.4 |
Audit existing infrastructure and designations |
|
3.5 |
Carry out surveys and needs assessments |
|
3.6 |
Summarise findings and consider how to tackle the issues |
|
|
4.1 |
Draft a vision and objectives for the area |
4.2 |
Feedback and further community involvement |
|
4.3 |
Prepare an SA Scoping Report |
|
4.4 |
Assess impact of options |
|
4.5 |
Choose preferred options and draw up proposals |
|
4.6 |
Check for conformity with strategic policies in the
development plan |
|
4.7 |
Consult on proposals |
|
|
5.1 |
Fine tune your plan to minimise overall impacts |
5.2 |
Agree monitoring, evaluation and review |
|
5.3 |
Prepare final Neighbourhood Plan document |
|
5.4 |
Prepare final SA Report |
|
5.5 |
Prepare EIA Report |
|
5.6 |
Consult on Proposals |
|
5.7 |
Submit Proposals for Validation |
|
5.8 |
Independent Examination |
|
5.9 |
Referendum |
|
5.10 |
The plan is made |
Community Led Planning Support Services
The Community Engagement Team has extensive experience of
supporting Community Led Planning initiatives and offers a number of
support options:
Start
up support package
Communities at the start of the process may need
officer assistance to plan and run initial workshops, form and
constitute a steering group, create time plans and budgets,
engage with different stakeholders.
In
progress support package
Officers can provide assistance and advice
on gathering evidence, community engagement programme, preparing a vision
and objectives, exploring options, drafting proposals, establishing monitoring
and review arrangements.
Tailored
support
Some groups welcome officer support at particular
events or with specific tasks in the process.
Community
Led Planning Network
Network membership provides access to templates and
documents in the online members area and updates on good practice guidelines,
as well free attendance at network meetings. The opportunity to discuss common
issues with other CLP groups can be the most valuable experience of all.
For more information, click on the links, call 01376 574330 or
contact Sarah
Sapsford
Community Led Planning Network
RCCE has always tried to share best practice and believes
that, by formalising a network, Community Led Planning Groups will be able
to take advantage of the wealth of information and experience accumulated.
How will you benefit from joining the Community Led Planning Network?
- Regular
Networking and Learning meetings - a chance to meet other groups and share
experiences and good practice as well as receiving information and
guidance.
- You
will be able to borrow display boards for your events
- You
will have easy
access to online information i.e. model constitutions,
profile sheets, project plans, questionnaires
- You
will receive responses to email and telephone enquiries and signposting to
good practice advice
How can you ‘sign-up’ to the ‘Network’?
From June 2017 any RCCE member can join
the network and enjoy its benefits for free:
There is still a requirement to complete the Application Form and send to
the Community Engagement Team at RCCE and additional support packages are
available to purchase. Please talk to one of teh Community Engagement Team to
find out more.
Resources are
available in the Members Area
Need more help?
Network Membership Application Form
If you require help with facilitation of workshops and
setting up a group to get a Community Led Plan underway, RCCE can provide
additional support
services.
For more information call Sarah Sapsford on 01376 574330 or email sarah.sapsford@essexrcc.org.uk
Officer Support
If you need the support of a Community Engagement Officer to
help set up your steering group, to attend evening meetings, to speak at
events or to facilitate community workshops, you may like to purchase a
'start up' or 'in progress' support package, or design a package tailored to
your own needs.
The charges for packages of support are subsidised in some local authority
areas to reflect the funding the Community Engagement Team receives
to assist communities in those districts / boroughs.
Community
Led Plan Support Service.doc
To apply for a package of support, please complete and return a request form
Request
for support services.doc
For more information, call 01376 574330 or contact Sarah
Sapsford