Decision ref
0057 2023/24
Decision date
07/12/2023
Portfolio
Regeneration & Planning
Wards
Windle
Title
Windle Parish Council Neighbourhood Area Application
Summary
To approve the Designated Neighbourhood Area application submitted by Windle parish council to designate their parish area as Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of Neighbourhood Planning.
Purpose
In accordance with Regulation 5 of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (As Amended), Windle parish council have submitted an application to St Helens Borough Council to designate a Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of Neighbourhood Planning.
Therefore, this report seeks approval for the application, as a Delegated Executive Decision, in line with Regulation 5A of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (As Amended).
Background
Neighbourhood Planning is a way for communities to shape the future of the places where they live and work. Neighbourhood Planning provides a set of tools for local people that allows communities to set planning policies through a Neighbourhood Development Plan. A Neighbourhood Plan cannot be used to prevent or stifle development.
Following the successful grant award, DAC Planning were commissioned by St Helens Borough Council to engage with and deliver neighbourhood planning support to community groups on behalf of the Council for a one-year period (this support ended late September), and although initially engagement was sought in the more urban and deprived areas of the Borough, on the 29th September 2023, the Planning Policy team received an application to designate a Neighbourhood Area from Windle parish council (see Appendices 1a & 1b).
The Localism Act 2011 (Part 6 Chapter 3) sets out the Local Planning Authorities responsibilities throughout the Neighbourhood Development Plan process, this includes:
• Designating the area of the Neighbourhood Development Plan;
• Advising or assisting communities in the preparation of a neighbourhood plan;
• Checking a submitted plan meets the legal requirements;
• Arranging for the independent examination of the plan;
• Determining whether the neighbourhood plan meets the basic conditions and other legal requirements; and
• Subject to the results of the referendum/s bringing the plan into force.
Where the relevant body for producing a Neighbourhood Plan is the parish council and the application area consists of the whole of the Parish’s area, then under Regulations 5A of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended), the Local Planning Authority must exercise their powers under section 61G of the 1990 Act and designate the specified area as a neighbourhood area, and in line with regulation 7(1) the Council must publicise the following information about the designation to bring it to the attention of people who live, work and carry on business in the area to which the designations relate as soon as possible:
• Name of the neighbourhood area;
• A map identifying the area; and
• The name of the relevant body who applied for the designation.
The submission of an application to designate a Neighbourhood Area is the first step in the neighbourhood planning process.
The neighbourhood planning process places new duties on local planning authorities that will mean additional costs are incurred. In recognition of this, neighbourhood planning is supported by a grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) which provides various sums at designated stages in the Neighbourhood Plan process:
• £5,000 per designated neighbourhood area for the first five neighbourhood areas designated.
• £5,000 per designated neighbourhood forum for the first five neighbourhood forums designated.
• £20,000 per neighbourhood plan can be claimed once a date is set for the referendum following a successful examination. A further £10,000 can be claimed in business areas.
• £20,000 can be claimed in relation to Neighbourhood Development Orders for each neighbourhood planning once the date for a referendum on the order has been set.
Therefore, once approved the Council will be able to apply for grant funding of £5,000 for the purposes of neighbourhood planning.
Conclusion
This is the first step in the production of a Neighbourhood Plan. As the application is submitted by Windle parish council (in line with Regulation 5A of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (As Amended)), it is recommended that the local planning authority approve the application as submitted, and designate Windle Parish as a Neighbourhood Area, for the purposes of neighbourhood planning, and publicise this decision on the Council website and on Windle parish notice boards.
Once approved grant funding is available to use for the purposes of neighbourhood planning.
Risk Implications
None
Measures to Redress Risk
None
Declarations Of Interest
None
Equality Impact Assessment
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More information
Please contact Sara Manson on 01744 673276
