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Neighbourhood planning

General guidance

The Government introduced the neighbourhood planning system via the Localism Act 2011 [external link].

By preparing Neighbourhood Plans, communities can develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood.  They can help to shape the development and growth of their local area. 

For example communities are able to:

  • choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built;
  • have their say on what those new buildings should look like; and
  • grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead.

 

The National Planning Practice Guidance provides information on neighbourhood planning: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning--2 

It sets out the key stages in the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan.  This includes:

  • designating a neighbourhood area,
  • preparing a draft neighbourhood plan,
  • the independent examination, and
  • the referendum.

It becomes part of the statutory planning framework for the area when it is adopted.

 

The Council’s role

The Local Planning Authority must:

  • make decisions at key stages in the neighbourhood planning process.  This has to happen within certain time limits.
  • provide advice or assistance to organisations who are producing a Neighbourhood Plan or Order.

 

Please contact the planning policy team if you need any help:

[email protected]

01325 406724.

Neighbourhood plan areas

A Neighbourhood Forum is a way that residents within a non-parished area can form a group.  The group is given rights and powers.  These can be used to influence how their community is developed within a designated area.

On 29 May 2014 Blackwell Neighbourhood Forum (and the associated area) were formally designated by the Council. 

On 26 May 2017, Hurworth parish council was formally designated as a Neighbourhood Area.  This was so they could prepare a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

This document contains the record of the Delegated Executive Decision.  It also contains the Hurworth Neighbourhood Plan Statement.  It includes a plan of the designated area.

On 26 May 2017 Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area.

Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent Designation Delegated Decision and Neighbourhood Plan Statement [pdf document]

This document contains the record of the Delegated Executive Decision.  It also contains the statement in support for a Neighbourhood Plan for the area.  It includes a plan of the designated area.

Preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan was undertaken by the parish council.  It began in 2017. The Council consulted on a Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan in December 2018.

An Independent Examination took place at the beginning of 2019. The Examiners Report recommended that the Plan could proceed to referendum subject to a number of proposed modifications. The Council accepted the recommendations.

The Examiner’s Report and the Council’s Decision Statement:

The referendum took place on the 23 May 2019.  There was a majority vote in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan. 

Decisions on planning applications must be made in accordance with policies in the Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent Neighbourhood Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Middleton St George parish council (in association with Low Dinsdale parish council) designated a Neighbourhood Area on 1 July 2014.

In January 2019, Middleton St George parish council applied to the council for a new Neighbourhood Area.  This was to reflect changes in the parish boundary.  After a statutory consultation period, it was considered that the Neighbourhood Area should be designated.  It was designated on 14 May 2019.

Delegated report including a map of the area [pdf document].

Preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan was undertaken by the parish council.  This began in spring 2019. The Council carried out consultation on a Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan in autumn 2019.

The Independent Examination was undertaken in spring 2022. The examiner’s report suggested changes but stated that the plan could proceed to a referendum. The council considered the examiner’s report and accepted the recommendations.

A referendum took place on Thursday 11 August 2022.  The Neighbourhood Plan received a majority vote in favour.

Decision statement by the Council to 'make' (adopt) the Neighbourhood Plan [pdf document]

View the Neighbourhood Plan [pdf document]

Decisions on planning applications must be made in accordance with policies in the Middleton St George Neighbourhood Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Sadberge parish council designated a Neighbourhood Area on 15 May 2013.

At the meeting on 13 January 2015, it was decided not to proceed any further with the Sadberge Neighbourhood Plan.

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