Agenda item

2.)  Neighbourhood Plan (NP) – Alison Cooke

A PowerPoint was shown.

Most NPs take place in Parish areas through Parish Councils. A NP is an opportunity but also a commitment. Come and help to shape your community and the place you live in. Bringing along community activities that can help to deliver NP. Developing a shared vision for your area – type of development appropriate for that area. Minimum 21 members to carry the Forum forwards. It does not replace any existing design statements. It forms part of the statutory development plan for the city.

Other benefits – infrastructure levy through Section 106 monies. Schedule of charging for applications to pay to a pot that will be going to central pot, and 25% of that can be used in the area where there is a NP. Relation of the overarching Local Plan and NP.

PowerPoint refers to strategic needs of the city.

A NP can deal with protection of green spaces i.e. a village designated all grass verges. Local heritage assets – should there be application for change of use – NP could set criteria on what can be done. NP involves engagement with the Council i.e. Minster Precinct NP works on Community Safety issues.

A NP can cover smaller spaces that might be missed off the strategic list as part of the Local Plan, that could be picked up as part of NP. Working with the local authority, the shortest time a NP has been conceived is 2 years, longest time upwards of 10 years and is still ongoing. Planning will support the residents/ Forum with creating a NP. Community will create vision and CYC will lead on consultation – then appointed examiner for a few months to see if the Plan is sound. Costs of this would be covered by CYC – after that there will be a referendum to assess the area with every household included. 50% turnout needs to be supportive for plan go forwards. If the majority vote is yes, that goes to CYC for approval and formulation of NP – more info on the PowerPoint.

Policy advice will be offered regarding decision making. NPs can help with stopping a development in the area.

So far in York there is only one NP in an urban area – Minster Precinct NP. There are another five NPs that are in Parishes areas. These are all available to view on the CYC website. There are twelve ongoing NP in the process of formulation.

Neighbourhood Plan - Questions and Answers

Q. York Central – how will a Neighbourhood Plan interest with it?

A. Wouldn’t be able to make much difference on the actual site – but, could influence on how York Central interacts with surrounding area

Q. Can it influence how spaces are used – those that have gone for commercial development?

A. Would need to see specifics of an application.

Q. Concern about safety on development site of York Central?

A. Would have to look at wording on the design. Community action could be included in the NP to work with York Central developers, so they don’t go over planning permission.

Q.  York Central to different name change – can it be renamed?

A. There is no process at this moment to look at it. It can change but there is no process for that yet.

Q. Can NP protect green spaces and tree cover? WE don’t have that many trees in Holgate. Can we restrict mature trees being chopped down?

A. Existing protection of trees map that – can create evidence plan. RE York Central, we need to look at overall design. A Neighbourhood Plan can feature it – it’s how it is worded in policy. Will be able to identify trees without preservation order – supporting via community action plan wants to promote tree planting or protection in the area.

Example pointed out from resident – care home had mature trees and they were all chopped down.

A. This item can be taken to conservation officers.

Cllrs stated their support for tree protections as a ward team.

Q.  Where Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan cross over and overlap – we need more school places that will be accessible and within walking distance?

A. Any investment in education will be dealt with at a strategic level i.e. the Local Plan. A NP could have active travel be a part of it – i.e. ‘walking buses’ to school, supporting cycle lanes as an addition.

Q. Corridor of development is being built but there is no cycling infrastructure?

A. Cllr Taylor – CYC Local Transport strategy is being consulted on. We need as many people as possible to take part and feedback on cycling infrastructure etc. we need residents to be involved with that.

Q. Is there a Local Plan that we can be inspired by – could we look at examples from elsewhere?

A. Minster Precinct Plan has been held as an example nationally. It sets a master plan for the area – it is place based and visual about what is derived for that area

Q. Regarding boundaries, with York Central we are not sure what will come of it regards traffic. What should we write in about?

A. Please feed back re what you are concerned about with the future developments.