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'Localism' in action

Barkham and Arborfield & Newland Parish Councils have come together to develop a Neighbourhood Plan.

It has been made possible by the Localism Act which allows Parish and Town Councils to develop Neighbourhood Plans and even Neighbourhood Development Orders. This means that local people can decide how they would like their communities to grow and develop.

The legislation is new and we are all learning what can and can’t be done. Various councils are progressing towards the point at which their plans will be subject to local referenda.

Barkham and Arborfield Parish Councils share common interests in the proposed major development of the Arborfield Garrison site and local infrastructure planning.

You help decide

The two Councils took the first steps towards creating a Neighbourhood Plan by circulating a Neighbourhood Plan Questionnaire in the Autumn of 2011 as the first stage in a process that will involve residents at every step.

The first results of the questionnaire have now been published (see news) and when the analysis is completed the two councils will start preparing the Plan to reflect the needs of their communities.

Residents need to realise that the Neighbourhood Plan cannot be a way of simply rejecting development and can’t be contrary to the National Planning Framework or the locally adopted Core Strategy.

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and the Council for the Preservation of Rural England has a useful leaflet that explains what a Neighbourhood Plan is and what it can do. In their words:

A Neighbourhood Plan can…

• Decide where and what type of development should happen in the neighbourhood.
• Promote more development than is set out in the Local Plan.
• Include policies, for example regarding design standards, that take precedence over existing policies in the Local Plan for the neighbourhood – provided the Neighbourhood Plan policies do not conflict with the strategic policies in the Local Plan.

A Neighbourhood Plan cannot…

• Conflict with the strategic policies in the Local Plan prepared by the local planning authority.
• Be used to prevent development that is included in the Local Plan.
• Be prepared by a body other than a parish or town council or a neighbourhood forum.

Download the Guide to Neighbourhood Planning at here.