Summary of a Neighbourhood Plan

A Neighbourhood Plan is a new power, created by the Localism Act 2011, designed
to give local communities more influence over the built environment and planning
related matters in their area. There is a clear process to be followed in consulting on
and drawing up a Plan and the final stage is a referendum vote for all local residents.
When adopted the NP sits alongside the overall Local Plan for the City and it must
be taken into account whenever the Planning Authority (Newcastle City Council) is
making planning decisions. A NP cannot directly contradict a Local Plan but it can
add detail. Approximately 1700 neighbourhood plans currently under development It
should be noted that the boundary of a NP area does not have to correspond to
either a PC or a Ward boundary, but it must not overlap another PC area.

A chance for local people to have more understanding about and more say in
shaping the built environment of the area via planning processes eg to
safeguard parks and open spaces
A chance for them to build greater understanding and partnership working with
the local authority and other key agencies
Developing a mechanism through which local residents and agencies might come
together to discuss and act on issues in the area
Providing a mechanism for gathering information to support ideas, and make
funding applications for resources in the area
Neighbourhood Plans have to have a Qualifying Body that takes the lead in the
process. In communities where there is an established Parish Council this is the
body or a Community Forum is established by the Local Authority it is be the
Qualifying Body.
Local planning authorities have a duty to support and advise parish councils
throughout a neighbourhood planning process, and pay for the independent
examination and referendum. They receive separate central government funding to
cover these costs.
1. Planning / testing how
you will open up the
conversation about a
potential Neighbourhood
Plan to a wider range of
stakeholders /
residents / organisations
etc. (But not consulting
as such)

Identified who the key strategic

stakeholders are.
Agreed the importance of expectation
management.
Setting up meetings with key Council
departments/ officers. Eg Planning,
housing, traffic, community resources
Discussed methods for involving
residents. Agreed that pilot
conversations script/ questionnaire
should cover both NP also how people
like to communicate. A questionnaire/
prompt list being designed.

2. Planning how you will

build the local
knowledge base,
including data about the
area.
3. Increasing the
understanding about
neighbourhood planning
and associated powers
in eg the Localism Act.

Provided draft text for leaflet/ flyer to

include positive examples from other NP
areas.
Consultant checked out what the general
level of consultation expected in NP
processes.
Researched and noted the useful ward
information on the Council website.
Discussed how it can be used in support
of a NP.
Agreed that the TG would contact
several other NP areas to find out what
they are doing and what their experience
has been. The task shared between
member and reports coming back.
Discussed the idea of a community or
ward plan developed in tandem with a
NP. Agreed to try to find examples of
these.
Compiled a list of web sites and sources.
Also contacting Newcastle University
Open Lab who may provide professional
support.

4. Finding out more about

tools and techniques
that are available to
support NP, including
digital tools.

5. Assessing what
resources exist (human,
financial and other) to
develop the NP and
community plan;
planning how you might
use them.
6. Developing and using
mechanisms to
communicate with other
local stakeholders.
7. Drafting a budget and
timescale for next steps
8. Servicing/ reporting to
the Steering Group.

Process underway. Considering how to

employ consultant/s to support the next
phases of NP.

See also actions above

Pending

Underway and ongoing