Neighbourhood Planning

Louise HilderPrincipal Planning Officer

Spatial Planning

Emerging plans at local and neighbourhood level

Overview1. Introduction to Cheshire West and Chester

2. Neighbourhood planning in the borough

3. Case Study – Tattenhall & District NDP

4. The challenges

5. The learning

Cheshire West and Chester• New authority April 2009• Fourth largest authority in North West• 329,000 residents • Historic City of Chester• Towns of Ellesmere Port; Northwich and

Winsford• Large rural area and key service centres• North Cheshire Green Belt

Planning Context• No up to date Local Plan - 3 adopted Local Plans

from former districts • Preparation of new Local Plan for borough began

2009• Two part Local Plan in development:

– Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies– Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed

Policies• Lack of five year housing land supply

Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Policies•Strategic development requirements•New housing, employment and retail requirements•Area based with supporting economic, social and environmental policies•Submitted for Examination December 2013•Pre Inquiry meeting held•Examination hearings June/July 2014

Neighbourhood Planning

Support offered

• Dedicated web site and toolkit for self service• Nominated planning staff• Provided training – with partners – Planning

Aid• Monthly newsletter

Case Study - Tattenhall

Tattenhall

Tattenhall & District NDP

• 8 miles south east of Chester • Tattenhall Key Rural Service

Centre • 2000 population• 3 parishes• History of community planning• Developer pressure

• April 2011 Announced as Front Runner• May 2011 Steering Group established • May – June 2012 Vision and Objectives Consultation • Nov – Dec 2012 Draft Plan consultation• Jan 2013 Area Application Approved• June – July 2013 Publicity Stage Consultation • Aug 2013 Hearing• Oct 2013 Referendum• Nov 2013 Judicial Review application made• December 2013 Judicial Review allowed• March 2014 High Court case heard

Content• Positive growth for the future of the area• Change for the benefit of the community• Six policies:

– Housing growth - Local character– Local economy - Local facilities– Landscape and environment– Transport and communications

The legal challenge1. Failure to meet SEA Directive 2. Failure to meet the basic conditions 3. Apparent bias of the Examiner4. Lack of evidence to support Policy 1:

Housing5. Late introduction of heritage designation

following Examination (withdrawn)

The outcome and implications

To plan or not to plan?

YES• 3 years of working together• 5000 community volunteer hours• Developing planning skills in the

community• Community building and engagement

Challenges for the LPA• No firm guidance or examples to follow• Advising not dictating• Managing expectations• Interaction with development management • Staffing the support required• Setting up new internal procedures • Funding• SEA and HRA requirements

The learning • Ensure good record keeping • Need to have confidence in the evidence

supporting the plan• Be prepared to be honest and have difficult

conversations – better in the long run• Neighbourhood Plan process not

necessarily light touch – just different

The learning (2)• Ultimate responsibility lies with LPA• Believe in Neighbourhood Planning and

the power it provides to communities• It is a powerful engagement tool

between LPAs and neighbourhoods with long lasting benefits

Contact DetailsEmailneighbourhoodplanning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Telephone01244 973887

Webhttp://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/

planning_and_building_control/neighbourhood_planning.aspx