Neighbourhood plans for two parishes receive local approval

Lewes District Council confirmed this month that 92% of the 1,652 people participating in a referendum voted that a neighbourhood plan for the village of Ringmer should be used to help determine planning decisions in the area up to 2030.

The neighbourhood plan for Ringmer (91-page / 5.3 MB PDF) allocates land for the development of at least 240 homes in the village by 2030, with a requirement for at least 80 of the new homes to be affordable units.

The plan requires that any development does not compromise the 'village feel' in Ringmer and neighbouring Broyleside and that any development occurring within the parts of the parish within the boundaries of the South Downs National Park supports the "purposes and duty" of the national park.

Bassetlaw District Council announced last week that the Elkesley neighbourhood development plan (ENDP) (47-page / 3.3 MB PDF) will be used to help decide planning decisions in the Nottinghamshire parish, after 94% of those participating in a local referendum voted in favour of the document.

The parish, which had only 340 homes at the time of the 2011 census, was allocated for the delivery of another 11 homes in the Bassetlaw District Local Plan. However, according to the neighbourhood plan, "local people want more housing in the parish than is proposed by Bassetlaw District Council so long as it is brought forward as part of the neighbourhood plan process where they can influence the policy context."

The plan for Elkesley includes a 'concept masterplan' for the Yew Tree Road infill site, which has been allocated for the delivery of 30 homes. The document requires that new homes fit in with the character of existing homes in the parish and that at least three affordable homes to rent are provided, for allocation to those with at least a five year connection to the area.

Planning expert Helen Stewart of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.com, said: "When the government launched its consultation for new neighbourhood planning powers in 2011, it was amid concern that any shift of power to local communities would provide a platform for NIMBY-ism and stifle development. These latest adoptions exemplify the potential positive impact of neighbourhood planning."

"The parish of Elkesley sought greater housing numbers than were proposed by the District Council, provided there was control over its provision," said Stewart. "The government will take heart from this success story which addresses the housing crisis whilst satisfying local residents. This bodes well for the future of neighbourhood planning in light of the new Housing and Planning Bill which aims to simplify and speed up the neighbourhood planning process to support communities that seek to meet local housing and other development needs through neighbourhood planning."