How to write planning policies for a neighbourhood plan

How to write planning policies for a neighbourhood plan

This guidance shows how to write planning policies which will address the issues that matter to your neighbourhood.
This guidance covers:

what makes a good planning policy

what a planning policy can and cannot cover

how to draft a good planning policy

issues around the use of planning policies

how to test your policies once drafted

## How to write planning policies for a neighbourhood plan
A toolkit for neighbourhood planners Introduction ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 4 What are policies? ................................ ................................ ................................ 4 Why do neighbourhood planning policies matter? ................................ ................ 4 Good planning policy ................................ ................................ ......................... 5 What makes a good planning policy? ................................ ................................ ... 5 Box 1 Top tips for writing planning policies ................................ ....................... 5 Box 2 - Linking your vision, objectives & policies ................................ ................. 7 The limits of neighbourhood planning ................................ ............................. 8 Neighbourhood planning projects ................................ ................................ .. 10 Box 3 - What is development? ................................ ................................ ........... 1 0 Policy drafting ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 11 Types of planning policy ................................ ................................ ..................... 11 Allocating development ................................ ................................ ...................... 1 4 Local green space designation ................................ ................................ ........... 1 6 Protecting community facilities ................................ ................................ ........... 17 Lessons in vocabulary ................................ ................................ ..................... 19 Clarity and precision ................................ ................................ ........................... 20 Hot topics ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 21 Putting policies to the test ................................ ................................ .............. 24 Testing your policies checklist ................................ ................................ ....... 25 Planning Practice Guidance found on the GOV.UK website Objectives Policies Protect and enhance all green spaces within the neighbourhood EN1: Protection of green spaces within the neighbourhood Development that results in the loss of green spaces or that results in any harm to their character, setting, accessibility or appearance, general quality or to amenity value will only be permitted if the community would gain equivalent benefit from provis ion of a suitable replacement. EN2: Valley Park Development which would detract from the landscape or ecological value of Valley Park will not be permitted Manage traffic and encourage walking, cycling and public transport T1: Sustainable transport Development as appropriate to its scale and location should include proposals which enhance the attractiveness of walking, cycling and transport. T2: Through traffic Design and highways proposals that mitigate against the impact of traffic within residential areas will be supported. (Derived from Exeter St James Neighbourhood Plan - July 2013 ) This guide has explained how some issues can be controlled through neighbourhood planning while others fall outside planning control altogether. It has also distinguished between planning policies and projects. Test your understanding by answering whether and how a neighbourhood plan can deal with the following: Can your neighbourhood plan: Protect an ancient tree? Yes through policies which place appropriate conditions on planning permissions. Provide affordable homes? Yes planning policies can require a proportion of new homes to be affordable and deliver this through a S106 agreement. Improve the local train service? No you will have to lobby your train company and local MP. Set up a local business green network? No but this could be one of your projects or actions. Introduce a 20mph zone? No speed limits are a matter for your Highways Authority but traffic management in relation to new development is for planning policy. Control of the addition of porches to homes No - Provided that the porch falls within certain parameters (including size) this is not subject to planning policy. Neighbourhood Plans Roadmap Guide Planning Practice Guidance on neighbourhood planning Questions Neighbourhood Plan Policies Link between policy and evidence or engagement Are your policies supported by evidence ? Is there sufficient support from key entities such as landowners / public bodies/ the public? Is the link clear between your policy, evidence and engagement ? Y/N Is more work needed? Y/N For site allocations How do you know site is suitable? Set out reasons . How do you know site is available? Have you engaged with the landowner and local community? Is it clear how site has been selected as the best option? Does p lan Is the plan in line with the national policy (NPPF and PPG) and advice contained in guidance issued by the S ecretary of S tate (WMSs) * ? Does the plan not prevent development from taking place which is proposed in the development plan for the area and if it took place, would provide housing ? Does t he plan not result in the development plan for the area proposing that less housing is provided by means of development than if the draft plan was not made ? Does the plan c ontribute towards sustainable development ? Does the plan c omply with environmental outcomes reports ? Does the plan c omply with Habitats Regulations requirements, and that have regard to all material considerations (including Environmental Impact Assessment where relevant) ? Does the plan n ot breach, and is otherwise compatible with assimilated EU obligations ? Does the plan m eet prescribed conditions in relation to the plan (meaning that the plan has passed all necessary legal, environmental and procedural requirements) ? Does the plan c omp ly with human rights legislation ?