PARISH AND TOWN COUNCIL GUIDANCE

The Localism Act received Royal Assent earlier this week (November 2011) and includes a new right for communities to draw up a Neighbourhood Plan.

The role of the Council in neighbourhood planning is twofold. Firstly, as you are developing your plans, it is simply to provide technical advice and guidance to you. Secondly, it has a role in designating the “neighbourhood” and in the legal process of adopting the Neighbourhood Plan.

The following guidance note will assist groups in the production of a Neighbourhood Plan:

Local Voices, Island Issues – Neighbourhood Planning (Isle of Wight Council, November 2011)

As well as the new Neighbourhood Plans, local communities are also still able to produce other types of community led plans e.g. Parish Plans and Village Design Statements (VDSs) which reflect local character identity.

The Council is committed to the concept of locally appropriate development which clearly reflects and enhances local character and distinctiveness and is keen to work with local people in the production of these documents.

The following guidance notes will assist groups in the production of their Community Led Plan:

Local Voices, Island Issues – A Guide on How to Develop Your Community Led Plan (Isle of Wight Council, November 2009)
Isle of Wight Community Planning Guide Resources Pack (Isle of Wight Council, October 2006)

A new website giving details of community led planning on the Isle of Wight and in the south east has been launched.  The website at www.clp-se.org.uk is being managed locally by John Brownscombe on behalf of the Isle of Wight Rural Community Council and he can be contacted by email at john.brownscombe@iwrcc.org.uk or on 01983 524058.

Community led planning is about communities agreeing a shared vision and priorities for their area.  This often leads to the publication of a parish or community plan.

Existing Parish Plans and Village Design Statements can be viewed here.

English Heritage has published guidance on incorporating local distinctiveness and heritage for communities. With sections on energy efficiency and good design it will be a helpful introduction to anyone taking forward a village or parish plan. It also promotes community led conservation area appraisals (p20), the use of redundant historic buildings to meet community needs and how communities can develop interpretation and take action to enhance their streetscape.  It is called “Knowing Your Place” and can be downloaded here.




Parish and Town Councils who are looking to produce a Community Led Plan can get free advice from Planning Aid. Planning Aid provides free, independent and professional town planning advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay planning consultant fees. It complements the work of local planning authorities, but is wholly independent of them.

For further information, please contact Planning Aid South on 01865 798673 or sosupport@planningaid.rtpi.org.uk Alternatively, you can view the Planning Aid website.