bishop’s stortford neighbourhood plan for all saints, central, south and part of thorley...

Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Bishop’s Stortford Neighbourhood Plan Plan for for

All Saints, Central, South and part of All Saints, Central, South and part of Thorley (“NP2”)Thorley (“NP2”)

Team – IntroductionTeam – Introduction

15th July 201415th July 2014

© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council

Neighbourhood Planning in Neighbourhood Planning in Bishop’s StortfordBishop’s Stortford

Plan 1 – Silverleys and Meads WardPlan 1 – Silverleys and Meads Ward Plan now created – with East Herts and out for Plan now created – with East Herts and out for

consultationconsultation Due to be submitted for examination shortlyDue to be submitted for examination shortly If it passes examination, it will go to referendum end If it passes examination, it will go to referendum end

2014/early 20152014/early 2015 Plan 2 – Central, All Saints, South and part of Plan 2 – Central, All Saints, South and part of

Thorley ParishThorley Parish Whittington Way area included because it includes Whittington Way area included because it includes

area where future development is planned (Draft area where future development is planned (Draft District Plan)District Plan)

Neighbourhood Area designation applied for, awaiting Neighbourhood Area designation applied for, awaiting confirmation from East Herts expected Augustconfirmation from East Herts expected August

Process is likely to take 12 to 18 months or moreProcess is likely to take 12 to 18 months or more© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town

Council Council

NP2 Neighbourhood AreaNP2 Neighbourhood Area


The Neighbourhood Plan processThe Neighbourhood Plan process

Set a designated areaSet a designated area Done, awaiting District Confirmation Done, awaiting District Confirmation

Prepare and create the Plan based on Prepare and create the Plan based on evidenceevidence Consult throughout the processConsult throughout the process

Formal (Regulation 14) ConsultationFormal (Regulation 14) Consultation Independent ExaminationIndependent Examination

Examiner appointed by District Council with Town Examiner appointed by District Council with Town Council agreementCouncil agreement

Checks against legislative requirementsChecks against legislative requirements Referendum and Adoption => statutory forceReferendum and Adoption => statutory force


Strawman TimetableStrawman Timetable


Neighbourhood PlanningNeighbourhood Planning

Introduced under the Localism Act 2011Introduced under the Localism Act 2011 Aims to provide greater public influence and Aims to provide greater public influence and

involvement in the planning of their local areainvolvement in the planning of their local area Can compriseCan comprise

A Neighbourhood Development PlanA Neighbourhood Development Plan sets out sets out policiespolicies against which planning applications against which planning applications

are assessed (in parallel with those in the Local or are assessed (in parallel with those in the Local or District Plan) District Plan)

A Neighbourhood Development Order or A Neighbourhood Development Order or Community Development OrderCommunity Development Order

grants planning permission for specified grants planning permission for specified developments developments


Limitations on Neighbourhood Limitations on Neighbourhood PlanningPlanning

Plans mustPlans must Have regard to Have regard to national legislation and guidance (the NPPF national legislation and guidance (the NPPF

and other guidance)and other guidance) be in be in general conformity with general conformity with the strategic policies in the the strategic policies in the

Local PlanLocal Plan Contribute to sustainable development Contribute to sustainable development Not breach with European Legislations (including the Not breach with European Legislations (including the

European Human Rights Act 1998)European Human Rights Act 1998) May trigger an Strategic Environmental AssessmentMay trigger an Strategic Environmental Assessment

be prepared by the Parish or Town Council if one existsbe prepared by the Parish or Town Council if one exists

The Local Planning Authority The Local Planning Authority cannot control the Neighbourhood Plan processcannot control the Neighbourhood Plan process can (should) give information and help but is not obliged to can (should) give information and help but is not obliged to

do so do so Has a strictly proscribed role in relation to the planHas a strictly proscribed role in relation to the plan


Objectives as set out by CouncilObjectives as set out by Council

Primary objective: the engagement of the residents Primary objective: the engagement of the residents and other stakeholders to create a binding and other stakeholders to create a binding plan/policies which promote a desirable evolution for plan/policies which promote a desirable evolution for the Neighbourhood Area the Neighbourhood Area (a) in the context of the assumption that development will (a) in the context of the assumption that development will

occur substantially in line with the emerging District Plan occur substantially in line with the emerging District Plan and and

(b) which have regard to and sit comfortably with the (b) which have regard to and sit comfortably with the policies in the current Neighbourhood Plan for Silverleys and policies in the current Neighbourhood Plan for Silverleys and Meads wards. Meads wards.

Statutory Vehicle: a Neighbourhood Development Statutory Vehicle: a Neighbourhood Development PlanPlan However if it is considered that one or more Neighbourhood However if it is considered that one or more Neighbourhood

Development Orders or a Community Right to Build Order Development Orders or a Community Right to Build Order would be beneficial, these may be included laterwould be beneficial, these may be included later© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town

Council Council

Emerging District Plan – Bishop’s Emerging District Plan – Bishop’s StortfordStortford


Accountability and consultationAccountability and consultation

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is ultimately Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is ultimately accountableaccountable

Neighbourhood Plan Team Neighbourhood Plan Team leads the development of the Neighbourhood Planleads the development of the Neighbourhood Plan deals with consultation - consults others during the deals with consultation - consults others during the

creation of the plancreation of the plan Records all contacts and consultation undertakenRecords all contacts and consultation undertaken Documents relevant evidenceDocuments relevant evidence leads the interest teams where appropriateleads the interest teams where appropriate

Other statutory consulteesOther statutory consultees Will be consulted later in accordance with the Will be consulted later in accordance with the

regulationsregulations © Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Council

Team terms of engagementTeam terms of engagement Respect the Primary ObjectivesRespect the Primary Objectives

A binding plan/policies which result in desirable additions to the Town. Aim for completion!A binding plan/policies which result in desirable additions to the Town. Aim for completion! Respect basic conditionsRespect basic conditions Members are Members are notnot indicating support for District Policies indicating support for District Policies

Free to challenge them outside the activities of the team Free to challenge them outside the activities of the team on condition that the publicity surrounding this does not undermine the Neighbourhood Plan on condition that the publicity surrounding this does not undermine the Neighbourhood Plan

Attendance expectationsAttendance expectations At least two thirds of ordinary meetings, No substitutes, Apologies to be given if not attendingAt least two thirds of ordinary meetings, No substitutes, Apologies to be given if not attending

Positive and professional Cooperation expectedPositive and professional Cooperation expected No ‘filibustering’ or other techniques to delay progress, Respect the views of other membersNo ‘filibustering’ or other techniques to delay progress, Respect the views of other members

Do the HomeworkDo the Homework Don’t feel obliged to volunteer for a task, but if you agree to do something please complete it Don’t feel obliged to volunteer for a task, but if you agree to do something please complete it

Overseen by Council Task and Finish Group, Draft to be approved by CouncilOverseen by Council Task and Finish Group, Draft to be approved by Council The work of Team will be overseen by the Neighbourhood Plan Task and Finish GroupThe work of Team will be overseen by the Neighbourhood Plan Task and Finish Group The Task and Finish Group will report periodically to Full Council on progressThe Task and Finish Group will report periodically to Full Council on progress Approval of the Town Council required prior to submission for independent examination. Approval of the Town Council required prior to submission for independent examination.

Meeting formatMeeting format Combination, Formally chaired and more interactive workshops/brainstorming sessionsCombination, Formally chaired and more interactive workshops/brainstorming sessions Sub groups for key subject areasSub groups for key subject areas


Law and guidance – documentation Law and guidance – documentation suppliedsupplied

NationalNational National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations

2012 (on CD)2012 (on CD) Locality’s Roadmap Guide to Neighbourhood Locality’s Roadmap Guide to Neighbourhood

Planning plus ‘Quick Guide to Neighbourhood Plans’Planning plus ‘Quick Guide to Neighbourhood Plans’ Locality’s Guide ‘Keeping it Simple’Locality’s Guide ‘Keeping it Simple’ RCCE Neighbourhood Planning Guide (on CD)RCCE Neighbourhood Planning Guide (on CD)

LocalLocal NP for Silverleys and Meads + Basic Conditions NP for Silverleys and Meads + Basic Conditions

StatementStatement East Herts Local Plan 2007 (existing saved policies)East Herts Local Plan 2007 (existing saved policies) East Herts Draft District PlanEast Herts Draft District Plan Bishop’s Stortford Town PlanBishop’s Stortford Town Plan


Recommended High level approachRecommended High level approach

Focus on a Neighbourhood Development Focus on a Neighbourhood Development Plan (policies)Plan (policies)

Keep it SimpleKeep it Simple Explore approaches resulting in the need for Explore approaches resulting in the need for

only limited documentation/policies which only limited documentation/policies which focus solely or principally on the key issues for focus solely or principally on the key issues for the Neighbourhood Areathe Neighbourhood Area

Retain policies from first NP where Retain policies from first NP where appropriateappropriate

Do not duplicate national or district Do not duplicate national or district policiespolicies


Strawman Twin-Track ProcessStrawman Twin-Track Process

Track 1 – Renewed Public engagement, Track 1 – Renewed Public engagement, brainstorming & visioningbrainstorming & visioning Consider a new household questionnaire, other Consider a new household questionnaire, other

methods of engagementmethods of engagement Track 2 – Review Silverleys and Meads Track 2 – Review Silverleys and Meads

ward planward plan What do we want to keep?What do we want to keep? What do we want to change?What do we want to change?


Strawman high level issuesStrawman high level issues Housing and DesignHousing and Design

Housing MixHousing Mix Sustainability, renewable sourcesSustainability, renewable sources Affordable accommodation for youngstersAffordable accommodation for youngsters

Green spacesGreen spaces Impact on environment & wildlife, access, special areasImpact on environment & wildlife, access, special areas

TransportTransport Traffic impact including impact elsewhere Traffic impact including impact elsewhere Entrances and exits, road infrastructureEntrances and exits, road infrastructure Community TransportCommunity Transport

Community IssuesCommunity Issues Sports facilitiesSports facilities Educational facilitiesEducational facilities Health facilitiesHealth facilities

Business and Employment Business and Employment Opportunities/business centreOpportunities/business centre Support to local businesses Support to local businesses Large employment siteLarge employment site Communications technology infrastructureCommunications technology infrastructure

Special Geographic AreasSpecial Geographic Areas Goods Yard, Town Centre, BS South, Manor LinksGoods Yard, Town Centre, BS South, Manor Links

High Level Spatial Planning mattersHigh Level Spatial Planning matters Ensure development does not frustrate fourth quadrant of bypass, School/Housing Ensure development does not frustrate fourth quadrant of bypass, School/Housing

swap?, Goods Yard link road, Civic Centre?swap?, Goods Yard link road, Civic Centre?


Preparation for Next meetingPreparation for Next meeting

Engaging the public constructively about Engaging the public constructively about development of Town – how and what development of Town – how and what questions?questions?

Identification of high level issues?Identification of high level issues?
