Ian BowenPlanning Policy ManagerSouth Derbyshire District Council

7 April 2011

Planning for Housing:Planning for Housing:The local authority perspectiveThe local authority perspective

“We haven't had proper planning in this country for decades. Instead we just had development control”.

“The new planning system is predicated on encouraging growth - there will be a powerful presumption in favour of sustainable development.

“Planning will be plan-led rather than the current default setting of appeal on application”.

“Often, their [planners’] job has involved much too much development control – saying yes and no to individual projects on a case-by-case basis – and too little genuine planning, thinking about the long-term needs of an area, talking to local people, and drawing up positive proposals for the future”

“Local people (will) come together and agree, ‘this is what we want our area to look like. Here is where we want the new homes to go and how we want them designed; here is where we want new shops and offices; here are the green spaces we want to protect’”.

“ ….this is what we want our community to look like in five, ten, twenty years time”.

“Neighbourhood plans must work inside some limits. It will not be a means for saying no to important growth if major infrastructure is needed at a national level, such as high speed rail or if the strategic local plan calls for a certain number of houses to be built. They would still be required to be consistent with national planning policy and to conform to the strategic elements of local authority plans”.

Reasons to be cheerful …• System will remain plan-led and evidence

based

• LDF process to be simplified?

• The reforms are about promoting economic growth, house-building and infrastructure

• Local people may prepare Neighbourhood Plans but these will need to fit in with wider needs – no veto on development

“If you want to get things done: don't wait for Government to pass a law or sort it out for you. Get on with it”.

“Take that chance to work with the community in your shared interests - or risk the economic consequences of cowardice and indecision”.

Re-defining the task: planning under localism

Re-assessing growth needs

Securing neighbourhood

level support

Ensuring continuity in working ‘larger than local’

Our response – next steps

• Phase 1 engagement: ‘drop–in’ events Jan – March 2011

• Technical work (Household Projections): Jan – May 2011

• Phase 2 engagement in Summer ‘11

• Draft LDF – early 2012

Community Engagement:Phase 1 Objectives

• Not “consulting” people on any proposals or specific sites

• Informing people about ‘localism’(!)• Finding out what people DO want• Encouraging members and Parishes to take an

energetic role• Managing expectations about freedoms to court,

or veto, development in neighbourhoods

Questions to Communities

• What’s good what needs to change? 

• What facilities and infrastructure should be provided or improved?

 

• Comments on our ‘Profile’ of their community 

• Whether they would consider representing their community in working actively with us on planning matters

Courtesy of Shelter ©http://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/housing_insights

Re-assessing Housing Needs:Forecasting scenarios

1. Natural change

2. Net nil migration

3. Long term migration trend

4. “Standstill” in jobs

5. Continuing past house building rates

Derby HMA – Projected Growth Scenarios

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Working ‘Larger than Local’ in the Derby HMA

• Population of about 450,000• Common issues include transport,

commuting, housing, flood risk, green belt

• Close relationships with Burton, Nottingham and East Midlands Airport

Derby HMA Partnership• Origins in the East Midlands Regional Plan – 3 Cities sub

regional strategy

• Informal political partnership

• Part of the 3 Cities and 3 Counties Growth Point (the 6Cs)

• Key driver was administering the growth funding

• Remit now includes:

– Spatial planning and infrastructure planning

– Local Investment Plan

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Key Challenges and Issues

• Are the principles of the system clear? What will the role of LEPs be? Local Land Auctions?

• Need to work fast. Will a simple (post LDF?) system allow sufficient challenge to plans?

• How to progress Local Plan in advance of Localism Act.

• Need to consider different spatial options• Need better ways of involving more people• Need to devise new creative ways of getting

people to think about the need for housing. Will incentives work?

• How to sustain voluntary sub-regional arrangements when the going gets tough