The Government has introduced numerous planning reforms intended to speed up the system, promote growth and strengthen community-led planning.
As a result of the Localism Act, local communities have been able to produce neighbourhood plans for their local area, putting in place planning policies for the future development and growth of the neighbourhood.
Once a neighbourhood plan is made (i.e. brought into legal force by the local authority), it will be used to determine planning applications and guide planning decisions in the neighbourhood area.
Our Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee has investigated the implications of neighbourhood planning, and the conclusions can be viewed on:
Whitby area designation decision
Whitby Town Council intends to prepare a neighbourhood plan for the parish and the first step was to seek designation of the neighbourhood area.
Whitby Town Council’s application was received on 25 October 2022, covering the whole of their area and, in line with the amended regulations, has been informed that the neighbourhood area is designated. It was considered that this area (the whole of Whitby parished area) constitutes an appropriate area for a Neighbourhood Plan.
With support from the council, Whitby Town Council is now able to produce a neighbourhood plan that can eventually be adopted as part of the statutory development plan for the designated neighbourhood area.
A copy of the report and map of the neighbourhood area can be found here.
Newby & Scalby area designation decision
Newby & Scalby Town Council is preparing a neighbourhood plan for the parish and the first step was to seek designation of the neighbourhood area.
Newby & Scalby Town Council’s application was received on 20 June 2022, covering the whole of their area and, in line with the amended regulations, has been informed that the neighbourhood area is designated. It was considered that this area (the whole of Newby & Scalby parished area) constitutes an appropriate area for a Neighbourhood Plan.
With support from the council, Newby & Scalby Town Council is now able to produce a neighbourhood plan that can eventually be adopted as part of the statutory development plan for the designated neighbourhood area.
A copy of the report and map of the neighbourhood area can be found here.
Filey neighbourhood area designation decision
Filey Town Council is preparing a neighbourhood plan for the parish and the first step was to seek designation of the neighbourhood area.
Please note: On 1st October 2016, new regulations ("The Neighbourhood Planning (General) and Development Procedure (Amendment) Regulations 2016") came into force. This amended previous regulations and stated that in cases where a parish council applies for designation of the whole of their parish as a neighbourhood area, then the LPA must exercise their powers to designate the specified area as a neighbourhood area. In such a case, the previous 8 week time period, with 4 weeks of publicity, no longer applies.
Filey Town Council’s application was received on 7 October 2016, covering the whole of their area and, in line with the amended regulations, has been informed that the neighbourhood area is designated. Although the Regulations set out that the area must be approved, it is considered that this area (the whole of Filey parished area) would constitute an appropriate area for a Neighbourhood Plan for Filey anyway.
With support from the council, Filey Town Council is now able to produce a neighbourhood plan that can eventually be adopted as part of the statutory development plan for the designated neighbourhood area (Filey Parish).
You can view a map of the Filey neighbourhood area at the bottom of this page.
Cayton neighbourhood area designation decision
Cayton Parish Council is preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for the Parish and the first step was to seek designation of the Neighbourhood Area. An application for the designation of the whole parish (as shown on the map) was received by Scarborough Borough Council on 8 June 2016.
On .12 July 2016, Scarborough Borough Council formally designated the Cayton Neighbourhood Area. Following consultation on the Neighbourhood Area application made by Cayton Parish Council, Scarborough Borough Council is satisfied that the 'Area' proposed by Cayton Parish Council (the parish boundary) is appropriate /for designation.
Cayton Parish Council will start developing their neighbourhood plan, with support from the council.
You can view a map of the Cayton Neighbourhood Area at the bottom if this page.
Eastfield neighbourhood area designation decision
Eastfield Parish Council (now Eastfield Town Council) is preparing a neighbourhood plan for the parish and the first step was to seek designation of the neighbourhood area. An application for the designation of the whole parish (as shown on the map) was received by Scarborough Borough Council on 12 October 2015.
On 19 January 2016 Scarborough Borough Council formally designated the Eastfield Neighbourhood Area. Following consultation on the Neighbourhood Area application made by Eastfield Parish Council, Scarborough Borough Council is satisfied that the 'Area' proposed by Eastfield Parish Council (the parish boundary) is appropriate for designation.
Eastfield Parish Council will start developing their neighbourhood plan, with support from the council.
You can view a map of the Eastfield Neighbourhood Area at the bottom if this page.
Elements of neighbourhood planning
The elements of neighbourhood planning under the Localism Act are:
Neighbourhood plans
A neighbourhood plan is a community-led framework for guiding the future development and growth of an area. It may contain a vision, aims, planning policies, proposals for improving the area or providing new facilities, or allocation of key sites for specific kinds of development. All Neighbourhood Plans must meet basic conditions, which are described later in this guide.
Neighbourhood plans relate to the use and development of land and associated social, economic and environmental issues. It may deal with a wide range of issues (like housing, employment, heritage and transport) or it may focus on one or two issues that are of particular importance in a local area.
A Neighbourhood Plan will be subject to examination and referendum and then form part of the Local Development Plan. This statutory status gives Neighbourhood Plans far more weight in the determination of development proposals than some other local planning documents, such as parish plans, community plans and village design statements.
Neighbourhood development orders
A Neighbourhood Development Order is a means for parish/town councils or neighbourhood forums to grant planning permission for certain kinds of development within a specified area. These orders may apply to the whole or just part of the neighbourhood area.
Community right to build orders
A Community Right to Build Order can be used to grant planning permission for development schemes, e.g. housing. Local community organisations that meet certain requirements or parish/town councils are able to prepare Community Right to Build Orders. It is necessary to gain a more than 50% ‘yes’ vote in a public referendum to bring these plans and orders into force.
Guidance on neighbourhood planning
Planning Aid is an independent service aimed at offering planning advice and support to individuals and communities and has a dedicated Neighbourhood Planning page on their website at https://www.rtpi.org.uk/planning-advice/neighbourhood-planning/ . This includes various online resources including a Neighbourhood Planning support leaflet.
If you are interested in finding out more about Neighbourhood Planning, please contact the Borough Council Forward Planning team on 01723 232480, or by emailing forwardplanning@scarborough.gov.uk . We will be happy to advise you on the means by which issues of concern to you could be addressed by the range of neighbourhood planning tools available.
Locality is the UK's leading network of community-led organisations. Its members work to improve their local neighbourhoods and support their local communities. Such community-led organisations can contribute to producing Neighbourhood Plans, and also be part of the means of delivering them and achieving their aims.
The roadmap not only gives guidance on the requirements of legislation, but also on best practices and how to avoid pitfalls. In particular, it emphasises the need for effective community engagement as an essential part of producing a realistic plan, which has a sense of community ownership.
The guide also contains advice on where further information and support can be obtained.
Neighbourhood planning support
Locality is providing support and grants to help hundreds of areas across the country create neighbourhood plans, with a £9.5m fund available.
The Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning programme will officially launch on 1 May 2013.
Further information/resources
The government has also produced information and guidance on neighbourhood planning. It explains what neighbourhood planning is; why it matters and how it will work and provides information about the sources of advice and support for communities interested in doing neighbourhood planning.
Planning Portal - Neighbourhood Planning
Communityplanning.net is an inspiring, how-to-do-it, jargon-free, good practice resource for communities wanting to engage in neighbourhood planning. The site features up to date information on neighbourhood planning and low-carbon communites and is accessible for both seasoned practitioners and beginners.
Forum for Neighbourhood Planning - This website supports people and communities who are using new powers under the Localism Act 2011 to create Neighbourhood Plans.
