Issue - meetings

The Localism Act was enacted in November 2011 and has introduced new planning duties which come into effect in April 2012. These facilitate community-led planning in the form of Neighbourhood Plans, Neighbourhood Development Orders and the Community Right to Build and bring new requirements on the Local Authority to resource and support this new tier of Neighbourhood Planning.  In order to respond to these new duties, a protocol called "My Neighbourhood: A Neighbourhood Planning Protocol for B&NES" has been produced for public consultation.  If adopted, this document will supersede the current Statement of Community Involvement for Planning.

Mark O’Sullivan (Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations) in a statement [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 18 and on the Council's website] welcomed the proposals but warned of the risk that the protocol might be abused, not least by those seeking short-sighted development.  He said that there would be room for sharpening some aspects of the procedures and that the Federation would respond during the consultation period.

Jane Brown read a statement on behalf of Joanna Robinson (Bath Preservation Trust) [a copy of which is attached to the Minutes as Appendix 19 and on the Council's website] which welcomed the consultation, especially the commitment to keep the protocol under review.  She reminded the Cabinet of the Council’s obligation to protect the status of Bath as a World Heritage Site.

Councillor Tim Ball said that he was delighted to have such wide dialogue.  He moved the recommendations which would start the consultation process on the protocol.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.

Councillor David Dixon observed that the issues were reasonably clear for parished areas, but more complex for non-parished areas and care was needed to get this right.

Councillor Tim Ball summed up by acknowledged that there were some issues still to be resolved, and that the mitigation of costs for the Council was one such area, but the consultation should still proceed.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Ball, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE the "My Neighbourhood: A Neighbourhood Planning Protocol for B&NES" for public consultation;

(2) To DELEGATE responsibility to the Divisional Director of Planning & Transport, in conjunction with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing, to make graphic and minor textual amendments prior to publication of the NPP for public consultation, and

(3) To ASK that the protocol for neighbourhood planning be kept under review so that opportunities to link this process with other community engagement are fully considered.