Many wondered early on what should be in the neighbourhood plan and what form it should take. Should it include a comprehensive masterplan and design guidance for individual sites? Could it present generic principles for the future of the area? Could it focus on a single issue? At previous presentations and conferences CLG confirmed it could be any and all of these.
Indeed, analysis of the frontrunners by CLG, has pointed to six different types of plan that are emerging. They include:
Mini Local Plans:
- Comprehensive coverage of policy issues
- Allocate development sites for wide range of uses
Policy and Allocation Plans:
- Neighbourhood plans covering a narrower range of issues
- Often theme specific
- Allocate development sites for narrow range of uses
Single Policy Document:
- Neighbourhood Plan covering a single policy issue (e.g.: protection of green space)
Policy Plans:
- Neighbourhood Plans covering a broad range of policy issues
- No site allocations
- Similar to parish plans
- Augment local plan policy
Neighbourhood Development Order (Minor development):
- Residential – minor development (e.g.: house extensions, windows)
- Town centre – change of use / minor changes signage
- Business park / industrial estate minor development
Neighbourhood Development Order (Site specific)
- Development of a particular site (e.g.: small housing scheme under Community right to Build)
For more on this, see the presentations made at the recent Planning Aid London event.
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