Statement of Community Involvement
6. Community Involvement in Neighbourhood Plans
6.1 The concept of Neighbourhood Plans was introduced through the Localism Act 2011 and allows designated groups of local people (typically a Town or Parish Council) to prepare a development plan for their area against which planning applications will be judged. Neighbourhood Plans need to be in conformity with the policies in the Local Plan for the district or otherwise promote higher levels of development which, for some villages, could help to sustain local shops and services, provide affordable homes for local people or help deliver new community facilities.
6.2 If a community wishes to simplify the process for allowing development, it can also produce a 'Neighbourhood Development Order' (areas where specified development is permitted without the need to apply for planning permission) or a 'Community Right to Build Order' (permission for small scale community-led schemes). These can be instead of, or in conjunction with, a neighbourhood plan and would result in effectively granting planning permission for certain types of development in certain areas, subject to meeting specified criteria. These orders cannot however remove the need for other permissions such as Listed Building or Conservation Area consent.
6.3 Neighbourhood Plan Areas, Neighbourhood Plans, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders are not prepared by the District Council, therefore the SCI (this document) cannot prescribe what methods of community consultation Town and Parish Councils or other community groups should follow. The Council will expect these documents to meet the requirements set out in the latest planning legislation and to follow, wherever possible, the general principles and techniques set out in the SCI - these requirements may include consultation with statutory stakeholders. At certain stages throughout the process, the Council will publish these Plans in accordance with The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended). The Council will also provide technical guidance and support as required by legislation and will offer additional advice where feasible.