Futures Forum: Neighbourhood Plans
Vision Group for Sidmouth - Neighbourhood Plan sustainable development
This followed on from several years of the Vision Group working on proposals for a Town Plan...
A report was compiled by the VGS in 2006:
Vision Group for Sidmouth - Original Vision Group Report
This was condensed into a set of proposals for a Town Plan and in 2009 the Vision Group met up with Town Councillors to consider these:
Sidmouth town plan talks - News - Sidmouth Herald
However, the Town Council felt by 2010 that these proposals were out-of-date:
10:04/11 VISION GROUP – TOWN PLAN
The Working Party appointed by the Town Council consisting of Chairman and Vice Chairman of Council, Chairman and Vice Chairman of Planning and Chairman and Vice Chairman of Tourism met to consider the Vision Group’s amended version of the Town Plan for Sidmouth.
The Working Party’s recommendation to Council was as follows:-
The Town Council is unable to endorse the Vision Group’s 2006 (amended) Town Plan, but commend the Group for the effort and work undertaken in the production of this document. It should be acknowledged that many of the objectives identified have already been achieved by others. Events have superseded this document with regard to many issues.
The Town Council acknowledge that two main issues are still relevant e.g. Port Royal Development and the threat to Salcombe Cliffs.
RESOLVED: That this be noted and agreed.
www.sidmouth.gov.uk/PDFs/STC Minutes 2009-10/stcapr122010.pdf
The issue of a Town Plan has been brought up regularly at the Annual Town Assembly:
The possibility of Sidmouth having its own town plan was also discussed.
The Vision Group for Sidmouth has long pressed for an integrated plan, with particular concern about the flood risk to the eastern end of town.
Councillor Sullivan said that he’d be glad to discuss this issue, and a general disaster emergency plan, after the introduction of the new Localism Bill, with its promised new freedom for local government bodies. Once this bill has been passed, he said: “East Devon District Council would have to discuss Sidmouth’s future development plans with the town council, so we (the town) can decide what we want.”
View From Online - News from West Dorset, East Devon & South Somersetwww.sidmouth.gov.uk/PDFs/Annual Reports/2011TownMeetingAgenda.pdf
The current framework under the Localism Bill is for a Neighbourhood Plan...
The county's oldest civic group, the SVA, would like to be involved in neighbourhood planning:
We are taking advantage of the new ‘Localism Bill’ to encourage The Town Council to promote a ‘Neighbourhood Plan’ for The Sid Valley. We are doing this in conjunction with other groups in the community.
Sid Vale Association - Conservation and Planning
The Save Our Sidmouth campaign would like to be proactive:
We also wish, in the longer term, to encourage and assist Sidmouth Town Council (STC) to prepare a “Neighbourhood Plan”.
Our Campaign | Save Our Sidmouth
The Town Council has shown interest in neighbourhood planning:
11:09/19 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS
At a recent meeting of the Town Council’s Planning Committee it was suggested that the Council might wish to produce a Neighbourhood Plan at some time in the future.
www.sidmouth.gov.uk/PDFs/STC Minutes 2011/STC-SEP5.pdf
The Local Plan and continuing debate over the relocation of East Devon District Council and working with other groups and organisations on looking at a Neighbourhood Plan for the town will feature in 2013.
Chairman of Sidmouth Town Council, Cllr Stuart Hughes | Exeter Express and Echo
The District Council has recently looked at an application by Broadclyst
- although it has sought to limit the remit of the Neighbourhood Area:
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/cabinet_agenda_170713_-_public_version.pdf
Finally, the Deputy CEO addressed the Town Council in March 2012 on several issues - including neighbourhood planning - but placed question marks on the viability of the project:
c) Neighbourhood Plans in East Devon.
Government is advising Parishes and Towns that they can draw up plans but it will cost between £30,000 - £40,000 There is no funding available from EDDC.
Neighbourhood plans had to conform to Local Plans. There would be a requirement to wait until the East Devon Local Plan had been agreed before starting a project.
Resources needed for drawing up of plans were substantial.
Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement.
"We speak up for civic societies and local communities across England."
Futures Forum: Civic Voice
It has been working with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies - and the question of community involvement in neighbourhood planning.
This is a press release from 29th October:
Press Release: Are some local authorities obstructing planning policy?
Show us the evidence that local authorities are deliberately obstructing the implementation of neighbourhood planning policy in their local areas. This was the call made during a debate of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies at Portcullis House on 29th October
Laura Sandys MP said “Where civic groups and others know of authorities that are obstructing the neighbourhood planning process, they should inform Civic Voice so that they can inform me. The All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies and and Civic Voice are regularly in touch with the Planning Minister and while I understand some areas have difficulties with resources, I am not aware of places where real deliberate obstruction is taking place. If there is, we want to know”
During the meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Civic Societies, questions were posed to the Department for Communities and Local Government and Roberta Blackman-Woods MP (Shadow Planning Minister) about community involvement in planning with issues covered neighbourhood planning, permitted development and the community infrastructure levy.
Freddie Gick, the newly elected Chair of Civic Voice said “I accept that some authorities may be under resourced or lack the necessary skills to support neighbourhood planning. If this is the case, the Government should be offering more support. However, if local councils are trying to obstruct neighbourhood planning, I would encourage groups to feedback to us with examples. We can then share this with the Minister.”
Civic Voice | News | Press Release: Are some local authorities obstructing planning policy?With thanks to: Civic Society asks: Are some local authorities deliberately obstructing neighbourhood planning? | Sidmouth Independent News
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