17 January 2012

North Tyne is Front Runner for new Neighbourhood Planning

Three parish councils in the North Tyne Valley have been chosen by the Government to be a “Front Runner”; a national pilot of Neighbourhood Planning which aims to give local people a new way to shape how their communities will develop in the future.

Bellingham, Tarset with Greystead, and Wark Parish Councils have joined forces to create a single Neighbourhood Plan in the North Tyne with support from Northumberland National Park Authority and Northumberland County Council.

By taking part, residents, local groups and businesses will be able to create planning policies for development and use of land, decide where new homes, shops and offices should be built, and influence how new buildings will look.

The initiative has been awarded £20,000 to facilitate the plan, one of 126 Front Runners taking place in England and one of only three in Northumberland. Barry Iveson, Chair of Tarset with Greystead Parish Council said:

“It is clear that the Coalition Government is determined to alter the planning laws and this is an opportunity for local people to make a contribution to how this is developed”.

To mark the beginning of the process each Parish Council will be hosting a drop in session to provide more information about neighbourhood planning and to gather some initial ideas and suggestions for the plan.

Anne Hutchinson, Chair of Wark Parish Council said: “Unlike parish plans, this will be a document with real clout. Neighbourhood Planning has been created under a new Act of Parliament and the planning authorities have to help and have to act on what we decide”.

Once completed, the plan will be subjected to independent assessment before being adopted by both local planning authorities. It must then be accepted by the local voters in a referendum. It will then form part of the local planning framework and help guide and control development. The National Park Authority will provide technical advice and staff to support a Steering Group of parish councillors, with help from the County Council, but all decisions on the policies within the plan will be made by local people.

Jim Thompson, Chair of Bellingham Parish Council, said: “This is a great opportunity for every resident, business and community group across the three parishes to have a stronger voice in deciding what their areas will look like in the future. It’s their plan and I encourage everyone to make the most of this opportunity by coming along and making their views known.”

John Riddle, Chairman of Northumberland National Park Authority added:‘It is great that the three Parish Councils have put themselves forward to trial the new process of neighbourhood planning. The National Park Authority works closely with local communities both within and on the edge of the Park so this is another way for the Authority to support communities in developing their plan. A plan that is written by the people who understand the areas best will ensure that the needs of the local economy are met and it will be a plan that everyone can use and understand’

Drop-in sessions will take place from 6pm until 9pm at Lanehead Village Hall (26th January), Bellingham Town Hall (1st February), and Wark Town Hall (6th February)

For further information please contact Iain Hedley, Communities Officer at National Park Authority 01669 622061 iainhedley@nnpa.org.uk  or visit the plan website: www.northtyneplan.org.uk.