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Planning service update during the coronavirus crisis.

Neighbourhood planning

Neighbourhood development plans (NDPs) are produced by communities to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. They must conform with the strategic policies in our development plan.

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Statement regarding Neighbourhood Planning  and Coronavirus Pandemic (Covid-19)

The Government's latest guidance, on Covid-19 is to stay alert and safe and keep practicing social distancing. With the easing of the lockdown on 04 July 2020 our advice remains that town and parish councils preparing neighbourhood plans should not undertake any physical public consultation as face to face engagement is not mandatory. 

Instead, town parish councils should use online and more targeted methods to reach our residents:

  • Email
  • Online surveys 
  • Telephone or letters for those without access to the internet

In addition, town/parish councils wanting to carry out statutory Pre Submission Consultation and Publicity (Regulation 14) are advised to follow the neighbourhood planning consultation and publicity note on safe consulting which has been prepared so that the full regulatory requirements of consultation and publicity can be safely met having regard to the adopted Statement of Community Involvement. 

Guidelines for potential consultation at Regulations 9 and 16 and other stages for publicising decisions made by the Council during the production of a neighbourhood plan are also set out in the note. 

Statements of community involvement 

The various statements of community involvement (SCI) across Buckinghamshire will be replaced by a new single SCI. The new SCI will be in line with the Government's latest planning practice guidance and will cover any continuing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. 

In the meantime, the new supplementary note sets out what consultation and publicity methods are considered safe and possible for Publicising a Plan Proposal or a Modification Proposal (Regulation 16) in a manner that is likely to bring it to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area. 

Notwithstanding this advice, should you wish to continue to prepare your neighbourhood plan, please contact the Planning Policy team in your area for detailed discussions. 

Neighbourhood plan referendums 

Government advice states no neighbourhood plan referendums can take place until 6 May 2021. This will be kept under review by the Government and may change based on how the pandemic continues. 

We will continue to update town and parish councils with any updates. 

For more information on the changes please visit GOV.UK: Neighbourhood planning. 

 

About neighbourhood planning

The Localism Act (2011) introduced powers for communities to help shape future development in their area.

These powers include neighbourhood development plans, which are plans created by communities to set out where and how new development should take place, and what it should look like. Neighbourhood development plans can be used to introduce a range of measures including allocating land for housing, designating local green spaces or promoting local character. They need to show 'general conformity' (fit in) with our development plan.

Other powers introduced by the Localism Act include neighbourhood development orders and community right to build orders. However we do not have any of these in Wycombe.

You can find more information about these powers on the Locality neighbourhood planning website.

How does neighbourhood planning work?

The process of developing a neighbourhood plan has six main stages:

  1. residents apply to be designated as a neighbourhood forum (where the area is not covered by a parish)

  2. the community applies to designate their area as a neighbourhood area (where the area is covered by a parish, this will be the parish council area)

  3. the community produces, and consults on, a draft neighbourhood development plan

  4. the community submit their draft neighbourhood development plan to us. We then publish the submission neighbourhood plan for a further consultation, and any responses received at this stage are sent to an independent examiner

  5. if the neighbourhood development plan passes independent examination, then the local community votes in a referendum on whether it supports the plan and wants it to be used to help determine applications for development in the local area

  6. if the plan receives a majority "yes" vote at referendum, then it will be "made" (adopted) as a part of the development plan and used to inform planning decisions in that neighbourhood area

Interested in the process of neighbourhood planning? Get further information via:

 


Adopted neighbourhood Plans in Wycombe

Below are the neighbourhood plans that have been 'made' (adopted) in the Wycombe area.

These form part of the Wycombe development plan.

Bledlow-cum-Saunderton neighbourhood plan

What's happened so far?

In August 2016 Bledlow-cum-Saunderton Parish Council submitted a proposed neighbourhood plan for formal consultation. After we consulted on the plan, we submitted it for independent external examination. After reviewing the examiner's report, we decided that the plan (with some changes) would go to referendum. Over 80 per cent of those eligible to vote voted in favour of the Bledlow-cum-Saunderton Neighbourhood Plan. 

What's happening next?

Following the result of the referendum on 23 June 2017, we adopted ('made') the Bledlow-cum-Saunderton neighbourhood plan (BCINDP). The plan is now used alongside the Local Plan when determining planning applications in the designated neighbourhood area (Bledlow-cum-Saunderton Parish).

View the adopted Bledlow-cum-Saunderton neighbourhood plan.

 

Longwick-cum-Ilmer neighbourhood plan

What's happened so far?

In August 2017 Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish Council submitted a proposed neighbourhood plan for formal consultation. After we consulted on the plan, we submitted it for independent external examination. After reviewing the examiner's report, we decided that the neighbourhood plan (with changes) should go to referendum. Over 90 per cent of those eligible to vote voted in favour of the Longwick-cum-Ilmer Neighbourhood Plan.

What's happening next?

Following the result of the referendum on 27 March 2018, we adopted ('made') the Longwick-cum-Ilmer Neighbourhood Plan (LCINDP). The plan is used alongside the Local Plan when determining planning applications in the designated neighbourhood area (Longwick-cum-Ilmer Parish).

View the adopted Longwick-cum-Ilmer neighbourhood plan.

 

Daws Hill neighbourhood plan

What's happened so far?

Daws Hill neighbourhood area designation

On 10 September 2012 our Cabinet agreed to designate a neighbourhood area in the Daws Hill area of High Wycombe. The decision notice, which can be downloaded below, identifies the area which now forms the Daws Hill Neighbourhood Area (the area bounded by the solid black line in figure 2 of the document). As this is a reduced area from the one applied for, the decision notice sets out the reasons for this decision, in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

Draft Daws Hill neighbourhood plan

Daws Hill Neighbourhood Forum produced a draft neighbourhood plan for its neighbourhood area. The plan would give the local community more control over development in its area. The neighbourhood forum consulted on the draft version of their plan between Monday 25 June and Sunday 5 August 2018 before they submitted their plan to us for formal consideration. 

Submission Daws Hill neighbourhood plan consultation

The Daws Hill neighbourhood forum submitted their neighbourhood plan to us for formal consultation in early 2019. We held a public consultation on the proposed submission neighbourhood plan between Wednesday 13 March and Friday 26 April 2019. 

Daws Hill neighbourhood plan examination

Mr John Slater MRTPI was appointed through NPIERS to examine the Daws Hill Neighbourhood Plan. We have now received the examiner's report on the Neighbourhood Plan, which recommends that the Neighbourhood Plan proceeds to referendum, subject to modifications being made. 

We have issued our Decision Statement in respect of the examiner's report, agreeing that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum.

Referendum

On 18 September 2019, following receipt of an independent examiner's report, we agreed that the Daws Hill Neighbourhood Plan should go to referendum.

The referendum was held on Thursday 14 November 2019.

If the majority of the votes submitted at the referendum are in favour of the neighbourhood plan, then it will be 'made'. A made neighbourhood plan becomes a part of the development plan and its policies are used to determine applications for development within the neighbourhood plan area (in this case, Daws Hill).

What's happening next?

Following the result of the referendum, we adopted ('made') the Daws Hill Neighbourhood Plan (DHNDP) on 12 December 2019. The plan forms part of the Wycombe development plan and should be used when determining planning applications in the designated area (the Daws Hill neighbourhood area).

View the adopted Daws Hill neighbourhood plan.

 

 

Neighbourhood plans in progress in Wycombe

The current neighbourhood plans in progress across Wycombe are listed below.

Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh neighbourhood plan

What's happened so far?

Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh neighbourhood area designation

On 13 November 2017, we designated a neighbourhood area in Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh parish. This area follows the parish boundaries, and is the same area as that applied for by Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Parish Council. 

A map of the neighbourhood area is set out below alongside a statement setting out a summary of the consultation on the proposed area and the reasons for the designation. 

Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh pre-submission plan consultation

Great & Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Parish Council co-ordinated a public consultation process on its Neighbourhood Plan proposals for the period 2013-2033 between May and June 2019. 

Submission of Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan

The GLKNP was submitted to the us for formal consultation in late 2019. We held a public consultation on the proposed submission neighbourhood plan between Wednesday 8 January and 18 February 2020.

You can view the submission draft below:

We received 44 responses to the consultation, you can view the responses online.

The plan was submitted to an independent examiner, alongside the plan’s supporting documents and the representations made at this stage.

Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan Examination

During the examination of the GLKNP we received questions from the Examiner. These may be viewed below:

The responses of the Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan Group can be viewed below:

Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan Examination - Examiner's Report

Mr. David Hogger MRTPI was appointed through Intelligent Plans to examine the Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh (GLKNP) Neighbourhood Plan. We have now received the Examiner’s report on the Neighbourhood Plan, which recommends that the Neighbourhood Plan proceeds to referendum, subject to modifications being made.

Examination Report can be viewed below:

Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan Examination - Decision Statement

The Council has considered the Examiner’s report and come to the formal view that the GLKNP, with the modifications meets the basic conditions and is compatible with the Convention Rights. This is set out in the decision statement drawn up and formally signed off by the Council. You can view the decision statement below:

What's happening next?

The Plan would normally proceed to referendum following the publication of the Decision Statement but as a result of Covid-19 the referendum will be delayed, in accordance with the Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums)(England and Wales)Regulations 2020 (external website) until 6th May 2021. In the meantime, the Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan will have ‘significant weight’ in decision making.

The Referendum Version of the Great and Little Kimble-cum Marsh Neighbourhood Plan is the version that should be used for decision making in the Parish. This version incorporates the proposed modifications, as suggested by the Examiner and agreed by both the Council and the Great and Little Kimble cum-Marsh Parish Council. It is available to view below:

Great and Little Kimble-Cum-Marsh NDP - Referendum version

More information on the plan can be found on the Great and Little Kimble-cum-Marsh Neighbourhood Plan website.

 

Wooburn and Bourne End neighbourhood plan

What's happened so far?

On 9 February 2015, we designated a neighbourhood area in Wooburn and Bourne End parish. This area follows the parish boundaries, and is the same area as that applied for by Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council. The documents below set out a map of the neighbourhood area and a statement setting out a summary of the consultation on the proposed area and the reasons for the designation.

What's happening next?

Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council are currently preparing a draft neighbourhood development plan for their parish area which they will submit to the Council in due course. More information on the plan progress can be found on the Wooburn and Bourne End Parish Council website.

 

For frequently asked questions on neighbourhood planning, please see Locality's website.