National Planning and Policy Framework

Notes of meeting held on 12 June 2012

Chris Crean, Regional Co-ordinator of Friends of the Earth facilitated a discussion on Neighbourhood plans,(NP), a part of the National Planning and Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Localism Act.

He said that the Localism Act gave community rights, an ability to purchase an asset that the Local Authority (LA) no longer wanted.

He also said that the NPPF and NP gave the LA a general power of competence, but that the LA had to demonstrate that its policy was evidence based. A general idea of the Localism Act is set out in the Communities and local government website htttp://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/

He stressed that the NPPF was merely guidance, not law. Local or Development plans are key to how planning applications will be decided. LAs have 12 months from March to get plans in place. Charnwood Borough Council (CBC) has issued Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and we have 2 weeks to comment on it. CBC is talking about issues but not sites.

What is the LDF/Core Strategy in Charnwood's relationship to the NPPF?

NPs are subject to the LDF, local plans and local referendum. It is more important to engage with the LDF than to develop a NP. Stressed that it was important to build own evidence base, to designate certain areas as Public Open Spaces if used informally for a period of time, ie Garendon Park.

It was asked what was the position of Village Design Statements as they had been accepted as SPG, Chris said that it was necessary to engage with the planning department to get verbal and written assurance.

Perhaps Neighbourhood Forums in Loughborough could be used for neighbourhood planning.

The importance of looking at brownfield sites and transport first was stressed..

Also the evidence base in relation to population growth was important; David Walker was quite concerned at some of the figures that had been put forward.

It was important to get involved in the consultations.

Concern was voiced regarding empty houses and brown field sites. It was questioned if we shouldn't build upwards first, ie. more flats/apartments to increase density. David said that in Freiburg the developer paid for the infrastructure.

It was thought that climate change should be brought into the equation; Decrease demand by building flats/apartments instead of houses.

Charnwood Country Park-working towards official status or a presumption against development.

A comment was made that there as never any publication of consultation results – should there be?

It was also asked whether we could specify the type of dwelling, ie. apartments instead of 4 bed detached houses.

Chris made reference to http://www.leicestershireforums.org/bsouth/fossevillages.html The Fosse Villages Neighbourhood Plan area comprises 11 Parishes which are situated in the south-west part of Blaby District, Leicestershire.