GAPTC Training Event - 30th June 2011

Theme: Shaping what our communities will look like in the future

Philippa Lowe, Head of Development Services

and Nicola Melville, Principal Planning Policy Officer

Welcome

Domestic arrangements:• Fire drill

• Mobiles

• Facilities

• Format: presentation, exercise, feedback, questions

• Timings – finish by 8.30pm

Objective of session:

Gain better understanding about how you can help shape the future of your communities.

Shaping what our communities will look like in the future

1. What has shaped the past?

2. What might the future look like?

3. How do we get there?

1. What has shaped development in the past?

• Plan-led system: Cotswold District Local Plan

• Local Plan Development Strategy directs new development towards 10 larger, more sustainable Settlements.

• Exception: Affordable housing permitted, in principle, in any settlement where there is identified local need.

• Development Services – enables development - in line with Local Plan policies.

How much development has happened?

• The rate of building new houses – past 20 years:

• 330 per year between 1992-1997

• 310 per year between 1998 -2003

• 260 per year between 2004-2009

• 230 for year April 2010 to end March 2011

• Average 290 per year.

• Changing household size….

• More people living on own

• Aging population

• 70’s – currently 15%

• 70’s by 2030 - 25%

• People want to stay in own homes (not institutions)

• Having children later….

So….

• Less available housing stock……..

Is it going to be enough?

Impact on housing market: includes……

House prices in the Cotswolds are well above

national average (at £288,000) yet average

income is below national average (at £26,800)

There is a need for…..

• Housing (545 Affordable)

• Employment• Community facilities • Infrastructure……. etc

“Sustainable Development”

There is a presumption in favour of…

Sustainable DevelopmentGreg Clark, MP. 15th June 2011

“Local planning authorities should plan positively for new development, and approve all individual

proposals wherever possible”.

“Communities will have a role in influencing what housing will look like and where it will go – but not stop it all together when there is an identified local

housing need”.

‘Neighbourhood Planning’

• Involves engaging in Local Plan consultations.• Making representations on planning applications

(material considerations).• Preparation of Neighbourhood plans.

• “Provided a neighbourhood development plan is in line with national planning policy, with the strategic vision for the wider area set by the local authority, and with other legal requirements, local people will be able to vote on it in a referendum. If the plan is approved by a majority, then the local authority will bring it into force”. Greg Clark ‘11

Localism – what does it mean?

• Awaiting Localism Act ….but already

• Planning for Growth (03/11)

• Presumption in Favour of Development (16/06/11)

• Engaging with Developers – significant schemes (see new guidance note)

• Consultations….• Issues and Options – ‘The Places’• Site Allocations – ‘The Sites’

Evidence : issues/needs of communities

2. How do we plan for the future?

Nicola MelvillePrincipal Planning Policy Officer

“Local Development Framework (LDF)”

• The latest word for a “Local Plan”

• We need a new one.

• Communities can influence and shape new development by contributing to:

• Core Strategy – high level, identifies right places (towns and villages) for future development

• Site Allocations – “ground level”, identifies right sites within the right places for development.

Right Places

(Core Strategy)

Core Strategy: Your involvement so far….

• 2007 – “Issues Paper” consultation (Development considerations for the future)

• 2008 – “Settlement Hierarchy Topic Paper” consultation

• 2009 - Focus Groups held on key themes e.g. Environment, and development of some Settlement Strategies.

• 2010/2011 – “2nd Issues & Options Paper” consultation, built on previous feedback and evidence gathered. C

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Core Strategy: Your Parish / Town Plans• Avening• Blockley• Chedworth• Chipping Campden• Cirencester• Coates• Coln Saint Aldwyn• Daglingworth• Down Ampney• Driffield• Fairford• Guiting Power• Kemble

• Lechlade• Meysey Hampton• North Cerney• Northleach with Eastington• Poole Keynes• Quenington• Siddington• South Cerney• Stow on the Wold• Tetbury• Weston Subedge• Willersey

Thank you for preparing these, they form part of our “Evidence Base”

Core Strategy: Where are the Right Places?

Existing ‘Right Places’

• Bourton-on-the-Water• Chipping Campden• Cirencester • Fairford• Lechlade• Moreton-in-Marsh• Northleach• South Cerney• Stow-on-the-Wold• Tetbury

‘Right Places’ in the Future?

The 10 Existing ‘Right Places' PLUS:• Andoversford?• Avening?• Blockley?• Down Ampney?• Kemble?• Kempsford?• Mickleton?• Siddington?• Willersey?

Core Strategy: The Next Steps

• What we need you to do – respond to our next consultation paper

• What we will do – contact you before the end of 2011

• Further stages…• Draft Core Strategy written

• Formal Consultation

• Submitted for independent examination

• Adopt Core Strategy

ACTION: Respond to next consultation stage – end 2011

From high level to detail

• Stage 1: Established “Right Places” for future development – What, Where, When and Why

• Stage 2: Now need to establish the ‘Right Site’ within those ‘Right Places’ for Development.

How to influence where development takes place within a town or village?

Right Sites in those Right Places

(Site Allocations)

Site Allocations: What is it all about?

• Identifies the “Right Sites” for development in the “Right Places”

HOW?• By using information continually being gathered

on potential sites; • According with National planning policy;

AND• Using the input of the local community.

Here? Or

There?

3. How do we get there?.....right development, right place……

• Your and your communities effective engagement and feedback

Site Allocations: How to get you and your community involved?

• Please help us engage your community in choosing the “right sites” in your town or village for development

• Perhaps Parish / Town Councils could run community workshops?

WORKSHOP Choosing the “Right Sites” will require a

balancing act between:• The need for housing and economic growth – Versus - The

need to preserve the special characteristics of places and respond to site specific constraints.

Workshop to support your engagement…..

Site Allocations: Getting the balance right

FEEDBACK

Site Allocations: The next steps

• Community engagement workshops

• “Preferred Sites” consultation.

• Draft Site Allocations Document prepared for formal consultation.

• Site Allocations Document submitted & subject to independent examination

• Adopted by Cotswold District Council

Sources of further Information 1.www.cotswold.gov.uk

Sources of Information 2. www.planningportal.gov.uk

What needs planning permission?

44 Examples

Final updates and news

• New-look public access (handout)• Planning Fees: New Regulations

• Comprehensive review – locally set fees

• Due April ’11

• Delayed: July or November?• Consultation on Local Strategic Partnership

• Call for volunteers –Jennifer Taylor (Community P’ship Manager)

ANY QUESTIONS?

Effective Planning…..

“A plan-led system that empowers local people to shape their surroundings whilst encouraging

the idea that development can positively benefit a community. A system that is positive,

proactive, simple, less adversarial and free from bureaucratic barriers”.