02 Jun Do you, the residents of the Parish of Chollerton, want a Neighbourhood Plan?
What governs planning?
The Planning process, whereby developers can seek permission to build housing or infrastructure, is governed by the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Below this sits Northumberland County Council’s Local Plan, which sets out a vision and a framework for the future development of Northumberland, defining what types of development will and will not be permitted and in which locations.
The Northumberland County Council Local Plan, valid from 2016 until 2036, can be read here. Under this plan, Barrasford is defined as a ‘Service Village’, with an expectation that it will provide ‘a proportional level of housing’. A precise number of houses is not set out, nor any locations, and there are no specific areas within our parish identified in the plan for any large scale housing or infrastructure projects.
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
Neighbourhood planning is a right for communities introduced through the Localism Act 2011, intended to help shape development in their areas and identify what should be protected.
A Neighbourhood Plan sits below a County Council’s Local Plan. It cannot contradict the Local Plan and must deliver any requirements the Local Plan sets out. It can however call for additional housing and infrastructure if wanted by the community. It can also set out initiatives not requiring planning permission, for example environmental projects or community engagement initiatives.
Neighbourhood Plans then sit with the Local Plan to become part of the development plan. Together they can carry additional weight in the determination of planning applications and can be effective in both bringing in desired housing and infrastructure, shaping proposals and, equally, in fighting unwanted planning applications should they go to appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.
There are 41 Neighbourhood Plans either ‘made’ or in process within Northumberland. As an example, the Parish of Humshaugh is in the final stages of producing their plan. It has a strong emphasis on preventing further housing development, which the community does not want, and the Local Plan does not require the area to deliver. They are also using the process to progress a community solar farm and establish design codes for developments which protect the look and feel of their conservation zone. Their plan can be read here.
How does an area create a Neighbourhood Plan?
Neighbourhood Plans must be produced by the Community. They must demonstrate community involvement and consultation and ultimately are ‘made’ and approved through a community referendum. They are supported through the Parish Council, with funding from central government, but their creation is driven by a community led committee.
Technical support is provided to the Committee through the County Council to ensure the document is compliant with legislation and so can be accepted as a part of planning policy.
The first stage of producing a Neighbourhood Plan is to organise a core community led committee. For our Parish this means inclusion of our larger villages and settlements (Barrasford, Gunnerton, Colwell, Barrasford Park, Great Swinburn) and outlying areas. Whilst rewarding, it must also be recognised that this is a significant commitment to produce a plan that can typically take 1-3 years to complete.
If you think Chollerton Parish needs a Neighbourhood Plan and you would like to be a part of a committee to develop one, then please let us know.
We will be gauging interest at our next Parish Council meeting at Colwell Village Hall, 7:30pm Tuesday 16th July where we will open the public session to a discussion on the subject. If you would like to be involved but can’t make that meeting then please contact the Clerk at theclerk.chollerton@gmail.com.