Frequently Asked Questions
What are neighbourhood plans?
Through the Localism Act, which became an Act of Parliament on 15th November 2011, the government is giving local communities more power to influence the future of the places they live by preparing neighbourhood plans.
Neighbourhood plans can establish a vision for an area as well as general planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood. They should be about local rather than strategic issues. For example it could cover where new shops, offices or homes should go and what green spaces should be protected or other planning related issues.
Neighbourhood plans should be focused on guiding development rather than stopping it. They also have to be in line with national policy and Doncaster Council’s local planning policies. If adopted it will become a statutory plan and be used in making decisions on planning applications.
Who will prepare them?
Neighbourhood Plans will be prepared by town and parish councils or in areas where there is none a community group in the form of a neighbourhood forum. The forum should be made up of a minimum of 21 people who live or work in the area. The Neighbourhood Plan needs to be supported by the majority of the community before it can be adopted and so a referendum will be held. Neighbourhood Plans will also be independently checked in order for it to be adopted.
What areas can be covered by a neighbourhood plan?
Any area can have a neighbourhood plan. They can cross local authority boundaries although they should not overlap with adjoining neighbourhoods who also wish to prepare a plan for their area. If the area is very small eg one street, the Council may suggest you join with other neighbourhoods to create a larger area.
What weight will be given to neighbourhood plans in planning decisions?
When adopted, neighbourhood plans will be statutory planning documents and will form part of the Doncaster Development Plan.
Through the Localism Act, which became an Act of Parliament on 15th November 2011, the government is giving local communities more power to influence the future of the places they live by preparing neighbourhood plans.
Neighbourhood plans can establish a vision for an area as well as general planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood. They should be about local rather than strategic issues. For example it could cover where new shops, offices or homes should go and what green spaces should be protected or other planning related issues.
Neighbourhood plans should be focused on guiding development rather than stopping it. They also have to be in line with national policy and Doncaster Council’s local planning policies. If adopted it will become a statutory plan and be used in making decisions on planning applications.
Who will prepare them?
Neighbourhood Plans will be prepared by town and parish councils or in areas where there is none a community group in the form of a neighbourhood forum. The forum should be made up of a minimum of 21 people who live or work in the area. The Neighbourhood Plan needs to be supported by the majority of the community before it can be adopted and so a referendum will be held. Neighbourhood Plans will also be independently checked in order for it to be adopted.
What areas can be covered by a neighbourhood plan?
Any area can have a neighbourhood plan. They can cross local authority boundaries although they should not overlap with adjoining neighbourhoods who also wish to prepare a plan for their area. If the area is very small eg one street, the Council may suggest you join with other neighbourhoods to create a larger area.
What weight will be given to neighbourhood plans in planning decisions?
When adopted, neighbourhood plans will be statutory planning documents and will form part of the Doncaster Development Plan.