The Localism Act has introduced 'Neighbourhood Plans' as part of
the National Planning Policy
Framework. These are locally prepared documents which set out
what type and scale of development is needed to help a community
achieve the right mix of affordable housing, employment
opportunities and services.
Many communities in South Somerset have already produced local
community plans (or town or parish plans), and while these plans
can act as a foundation for future development ideas, a
Neighbourhood Plan is a separate document.
Neighbourhood Plans are informed by local consultation and the
South
Somerset Local Plan - the overarching
development plan for South Somerset.
The Planning Advisory Service has provided some 'frequently
asked questions' about Neighbourhood Planning and useful links to
four organisations who have received funding from the government to
provide advice to those preparing neighbourhood plans http://www.pas.gov.uk/pas/core/page.do?pageId=1802659
SSDC is currently supporting the parish of Queen Camel to
produce one of the country's first Neighbourhood Plans and the
results will help inform others.
There are other ways, including the use of the existing
Development Management system in South Somerset, and by using
techniques such as 'master planning' to get the development you
wish to see in your community.
Follow
this link for further details on how SSDC works to integrate
community-led plans with the spatial planning system.
If you have an enquiry about Neighbourhood Plans please
email communities@southsomerset.gov.uk
or contact your local Area Development
team.