What is a neighbourhood plan?The Localism Act of 2011 gave citizens throughout England the opportunity to have a greater influence on developments within their communities. Amongst other initiatives, the Act gave communities the right to create a neighbourhood plan.
A neighbourhood plan is produced by the community to shape the future development of their local area. In short, it allows local people to have a greater influence on the future development of their area but it must still be in agreement with the Leeds Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework. Neighbourhood plans will contain specific policies to guide development and the use of land and, once adopted, will be part of the development plan for Leeds. |
Why a neighbourhood plan for Beeston?A neighbourhood plan will be enable the community to:
Once adopted, the neighbourhood plan will be a key consideration in the determination of planning applications. The Beeston Community Forum which has been involved with community issues for the past 13 years has decided to sponsor the writing of a Beeston neighbourhood plan. This decision has been influenced by recent developments. Over the last 3 years, there have been three major applications in the area:
A neighbourhood plan will give Beeston residents a greater say on how the community develops in the next 10 to 15 years. |
Who is responsible for creating the plan?The neighbourhood plan belongs to all of the community. It is the product of a neighbourhood forum working with the Council & Planning Aid England.
The neighbourhood forum is made up of residents, those who work in Beeston or carry out business in the area. Together, they identify the priorities for future development, through consultation with the community. The neighbourhood forum will prepare a neighbourhood plan with these priorities at its core. There are six stages in the growth of a development plan:-
The Neighbourhood Forum has now been designated by Leeds City Council and we are working towards creating a neighbourhood plan over the next few years. |
Next Steps.
There is also opportunity to volunteer to serve on the neighbourhood forum that will produce the Beeston neighbourhood plan.
Legislation states that a neighbourhood forum must have a minimum of 21 members. The Beeston Neighbourhood Forum has members from the following groups:-
Throughout England, communities have seized on neighbourhood planning as a way of shaping developments in their communities. So far 7 plans have been adopted by referenda, but there are around 800 plans in the pipeline. The majority of neighbourhood plans are being written by town and parish councils. However, an increasing number of urban areas like Beeston are getting involved. All have found that neighbourhood planning gives communities the ability to implement policies, projects and aspirations that are owned by the community.
Leeds City Council has approved at least 19 designated areas and is offering a high level of support to communities pursuing neighbourhood planning. It is encouraging urban areas to get involved. These include Holbeck, Hyde Park, Headingley, Seacroft, Aireborough and from January 2015 Beeston.
Seize the opportunity, let us get on with the job!
Legislation states that a neighbourhood forum must have a minimum of 21 members. The Beeston Neighbourhood Forum has members from the following groups:-
- Residents.
- Small business owners.
- Local councillors.
- Representatives of companies in the area.
- Representatives from the voluntary/education sector.
Throughout England, communities have seized on neighbourhood planning as a way of shaping developments in their communities. So far 7 plans have been adopted by referenda, but there are around 800 plans in the pipeline. The majority of neighbourhood plans are being written by town and parish councils. However, an increasing number of urban areas like Beeston are getting involved. All have found that neighbourhood planning gives communities the ability to implement policies, projects and aspirations that are owned by the community.
Leeds City Council has approved at least 19 designated areas and is offering a high level of support to communities pursuing neighbourhood planning. It is encouraging urban areas to get involved. These include Holbeck, Hyde Park, Headingley, Seacroft, Aireborough and from January 2015 Beeston.
Seize the opportunity, let us get on with the job!