Author Archives: MichaelWellock

Neighbourhood Plan Designation: What Happens if we are not a Parish?

Town Planning heralded one of its most significant ever changes when on the 6th of April 2012 the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations came in to effect. These changes mean communities now have the power to plan and shape their neighbourhood. To find out more read on, or call Michael on 01282 872570. Much talk on neighbourhood planning has centred on existing parishes who are in the advantageous position of being already identified in the Localism Act as “relevant bodies” when seeking to be designated a neighbourhood planning area. But what about non-parished areas? Areas with, say neighbourhood forums, area boards, or some other less formal local decision-making structure. For non-parished areas there are additional requirements you will have to meet before … Continue reading

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Parish Councils: How to Apply for Designation as a Neighbourhood Plan Area

If you area a parish or town council you can now seek to be designated as neighbourhood planning areas. This will allow you to prepare a neighbourhood plan. To find out more read this guide, or call 01282 872570 to discuss how you go about seeking a neighbourhood planning designation for your parish or town council. When applying for designation as a neighbourhood plan area parishes must apply to their local planning authority. This application must include: a map identifying the area to which the application relates; a statement setting out why the area is considered appropriate as a neighbourhood plan area; and a statement that the organisation is a “relevant body” i.e. a parish council. What happens after submitting … Continue reading

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Thame and Exeter St James Neighbourhood Plan Yes Votes

Nigel Farage’s views on this are not yet known but Thame and Exeter St James have voted yes in the next neighbourhood plan referendums, after the yes vote in Upper Eden. In Thame the Referendum was held on Thursday 2 May 2013. The question which was asked in the Referendum was: “Do you want South Oxfordshire District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for the Thame Area to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” Response Votes YES 2779 NO 855 TURNOUT 39.8 per cent On a much poorer turnout, than Thame, Exeter St James has voted yes in their neighbourhood plan referendum. Yes 92% No 6.2% Turnout 20.8% Kirkwells are one of the country’s leading independent experts on neighbourhood … Continue reading

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Neighbourhood Plan Funding – Direct Support and Grants

From today, 1st of May 2013, neighbourhoods can apply for a share of the £9.5 million earmarked by government to support neighbourhood planning. The funding and direct support is administered by Locality. Applications are invited in two stages. Stage 1 – by completing an Eligibility Checker. The eligibility checker can be completed online by answering a series of simple questions. This will help Locality decide if you are eligible for a grant and/or direct support. Direct support will be  expert advice tailored to the individual needs of your area. If you are eligible Locality will email you a link to an application form within 24 hours. Stage 2 – will be completing the application form itself. These government grants will be one of the … Continue reading

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York Local Plan Preferred Options

Following last years withdrawal of the draft Core Strategy York City Council are about to embark on consultation on a new citywide plan. The York Local Plan will guide development for the next twenty years. York is in the unenviable position of not having a development plan in place. The consultation on the new plan in Summer 2013 will begin the process to rectify this situation. The City Council’s plans are ambitious: over 640 hectares of land for almost 22,000 new homes is proposed. this means building between 1,090 and 1,250 new homes each year. to achieve this urban extensions and one new settlement are put forward. a permanent Green Belt, that has never been in place, is proposed. 345 … Continue reading

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Lancaster Call for Sites

Until 10th of May 2013 Lancaster City Council are inviting landowners, members of the public and prospective developers to put forward any sites they think have potential for housing in the next 15 years. If you own or know of a site that could be developed for housing and have not put it forward before now is the time. Sites put forward will be considered by the Council. This could be the first step towards planning permission significantly increasing the value of your site, or helping bring new homes to your local community. To get expert help to put your site forward call Michael on 01282 872570 or email Michael.

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Neighbourhood Plan Funding: We Will Just Have To Be Patient

Well, if like us you had been expecting today’s big announcement to be about neighbourhood plan funding you are in for a disappointment. DCLG Ministers had said that the “support programme for neighbourhood planning will be launched on the 15th of April 2013”. (see our previous post). Clearly a lot can happen in a month, because today we really do not know much more. The “full information” we were promised amounts to this and a side of A4 of grant application questions. OK. Too early to gripe, but not the best of starts. And don’t think you can jump the gun and get in there early – applications made before 1st of May will not be processed. So for those of … Continue reading

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Community Infrastructure Levy to Exempt “Grand Designs”

Proposed changes to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) could see self build homes, “grand designs”,  built by individuals, families or groups of individuals for their own use and for owner-occupation, exempt from the CIL Levy. This is the headline grabbing proposal in a consultation launched by Planning Minister Nick Boles who said: “For too long, self-build homes have been seen as an option for only a privileged few and we are determined to change that with proposals that have the potential to save self-builders thousands of pounds. “Our proposals would ensure that self-build homes are exempt from this levy and will make an enormous difference to people looking to realise their dream of buying a plot of land and getting a … Continue reading

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Warwickshire Association of Local Councils – Neighbourhood Plan Training

In conjunction with Warwickshire Association of Local Councils (WALC) Kirkwells will be offering a FREE, one-day neighbourhood plan training session. Hands on and without the “spin” this session will be a chance to hear “warts and all” from expert practitioners about the pros and cons of neighbourhood planning. Through hands on exercises you will also be given new skills and insights in how to put together a successful neighbourhood plan. The training day will run from 10.00 am (registration 9.30 am) until 3.30 pm at the The Pavillion, Hockley Heath, B94 6QT on Saturday the 18th of May 2013. To book a place contact Alison Hodge WALC County Secretary on 01789 472616 or by email.    

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Neighbourhood Plan Regulations For Business Plan Referendum

The Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Regulations have been amended to allow for referendum to be held in the case of business neighbourhood plans. Click here for a copy. To find out how a neighbourhood plan could help your business call Michael or Louise on 01282 872570, or email.      

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