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Central Bedfordshire chosen to try out new planning powers |
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Central Bedfordshire Council has been awarded £20,000 from Central Government as part of a new planning initiative to give local people a real voice in deciding how developments will look in their area.
The council is one of 36 authorities across the country to test out the new neighbourhood planning, a radical new power being introduced in the Localism Bill, which will allow communities to shape their own vision for their community.
For Central Bedfordshire’s residents and businesses this means that individuals will be much more involved in deciding locations of local homes, shops, offices and schools to setting standards of design for new housing and protecting green spaces of value to the community.
A Neighbourhood Plan will be prepared by residents of Caddington and Slip End which will look at providing the types of homes needed in the area, community facilities and youth facilities whilst maintaining and enhancing the character of the area.
Richard Stay, Councillor for the Caddington Ward said: “This opportunity will give every resident, business and community group across Caddington and Slip End a stronger voice in deciding what they want their villages to look like in the future. It’s their plan and I hope everyone takes this opportunity to make their view heard.”
The £20,000 from Government will be used to fund the support needed from the Council to enable the Caddington and Slip End Neighbourhood Plan to become part of the planning framework for the area, which will include an independent examination and a referendum for local people.
Cllr Nigel Young, Deputy Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Economic Development for Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Central Bedfordshire Council to test out the new neighbourhood planning initiative launched from Central Government as part of the new Localism Bill. As a council, we are working hard to manage growth effectively and boost the local economy and we welcome the opportunity to work closely with local people so they have greater control over planning decisions in their area and be much more involved in local developments.”
In areas where local people want to see homes and businesses built, neighbourhood planning will allow communities to grant a blanket planning permission for development to go ahead without developers having to make separate applications.
The community has the final say on whether a neighbourhood plan comes into force. If more than 50 per cent of people voting in a local referendum support the plan, then the local planning authority must bring it into force.
Planning Minister Greg Clark who announced the plans said: "For too long local people have been shut out of the planning process with no real voice to affect decisions about the places where they live. Unpopular regional strategies left people without the ability to influence the future of their community and this fuelled resentment towards growth. Neighbourhood planning will hand power back to communities to decide the vision for their area as they see fit, encouraging people to plan positively for their future. This is localism in action and the enthusiasm across the country for neighbourhood planning shows how keen communities are to get involved."
The 36 areas announced today are the next wave of 'front-runners' to test out neighbourhood planning, bringing the total to 126 across the country. Each front runner's local council is being given £20,000 to support work on neighbourhood planning and free advice from planning experts will be available for the local community. Examples of work to get underway include:
In Thame, South Oxfordshire, the town council is focusing their plan on the local need for more affordable housing and transport infrastructure, as well as developing open spaces and protecting the area's cultural heritage.
In Northumberland, two rural parishes are concentrating on the need for more affordable housing, a new high school and an education campus.
At the industrial estate at Trafford Park, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce is working with Trafford Council on a Business Neighbourhood Plan to develop a state of the art, sustainable mixed use environment for high growth.
In Sherston, Wiltshire, the Parish Council is aiming to deliver new homes, especially affordable homes for elderly and disabled residents. Their plan will also look at the need for key local infrastructure such as high speed broadband and new schools, as well as opportunities to develop a community orchard.
At Uppingham in Rutland, local business and the community are working together on a neighbourhood plan for the town centre that will promote economic growth and social wellbeing. |
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Central Bedfordshire Council PR 680 14/09/2011 |
