Neighbourhood Planning

1. Neighbourhood Planning

2. Introduction There will be a greater emphasis on engagement between boroughs and communities in two key areas: - Neighbourhood planning and the production of local plans - Community involvement in planning applications

3. The engagement process

4. 1 Finding the community The Localism Bill allows the community to define itself and approach their borough as a ‘Neighbourhood Forum’. The local authority would recognise legitimate forums and agree a boundary for the neighbourhood. In some cases the borough may also initiate engagement, where no groups come forward. It is important that the community groups involved in a process are as representative as possible of the end users of any initiative, and cover a wide range of interests and viewpoints.

5. 1 Finding the community Understanding the make-up of a neighbourhood Existing neighbourhood organisation Inherent neighbourhood organisation Using the internet and local newspapers Community Profiling Timescales of urban change Cultural and ethnic groups Transient residents

6. 2 Agreeing Scope and Objectives Most of the following points should be agreed: - The policy context and scale of plan-making - An understanding of funding and time constraints of the plan-making or building project to ensure realistic expectations. - The purpose of engagement - a commitment to take ideas seriously. - A commitment to continuity and engagement from all parties - The process of engagement appropriate to the context and community desires. - Timetable and responsibilities

7. 3 Engagement Toolkit Editing a document Prioritising issues options and actions Video / audio soapbox Photo survey Going on a Walk Choice catalogues Storytelling / Poetry / Theatre

8. 3. Engagement Toolkit Playing Games Making Maps Using Diagrams Building and Using Models Representing Street Elevations Interactive display or maps

9. 4 Neighbourhood Planning Events 4.1 Finding out what people think about proposals 4.2 Finding out what people think about places 4.3 Community design events

10. 4.1 Finding out what people think about proposals Street stalls Exhibition event with scheme display

11. 4.2 Finding out what people think about a place Neighbourhood / Street Audit Planning day Future search conference Planning weekend

12. 4.3 Community design events Public Ideas competition Live public design competition Charette Planning for Real Design Game Design Workshop

13. 5 Injecting Expertise Design assistance team Design Surgeries University urban design studio Architecture Centres Network / Community design and technical aid centres Neighbourhood planning office Professional bodies

14. 6 Finalising a phase and reporting back Publication or formal exhibition Review session The process may continue in the following ways: - Further consultation and planning events - Further refinement of a scheme design or spatial policy - The application of a Neighbourhood Development Order (NDO), to establish parameters for acceptable development which will not need planning permission. - The adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan as part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) - Through planning applications - Securing project implementation funding

15. 7 Changing and Managing the Place Local design statement Feasibility fund Development trust

16. Your ‘best practice’ examples • - Process Initiator / lead • - Description of process and events / methods used • - Funding source • - Costs • - Preparation • Length of event • Size and range of groups involved • Outputs • Facilitator

17. Summary table