The following is a summary of the presentation given by Planning Aid to members of the public and certain Wyre Borough staff on 22 June 2010. This is only a summary and more information on the planning process and how indivduals can get involved is available on the Planning Aid website www.rtpi.org.uk/planningaid/

Thornton Action Group members get involved in the planning process on behalf of Thornton residents. The final part of this summary Tips to Ensure Involvement summarises well part of the role TAG has performed since its inception, and will shortly be undertaking in respect of the LDF and SHLAA referred to below. The forthcoming consultations are about forming a document that will shape planning in Wyre until 2027.

Introduction to the Planning System: When, Why and how to get involved

What is Planning?

• Manage use and development of land
•  Achieve a balance
•  Protect certain assets
•  A Plan Led system

Why is Planning Important?

• Affects almost every aspect of our lives
• Physical environment
• Quality of life and well being

The Planning System

• Formal planning system since 1947
• Primary and Secondary Legislation
• Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (1991 amendments)
• Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
• 2008 Planning Act
• Orders & Regulations

Who Operates the System?

• Department for Communities & Local Government       (DCLG)
• GONW – Uncertain future
• 4NW – Uncertain Future
• Local Planning Authorities (e.g. Wyre Borough Council)

Policy

• National

• Issued by DCLG

• - Planning Policy Statements (formerly Planning  Policy Guidance) - 11 PPSs and 13 PPGs

• National Policy Statements (Infrastructure & Energy)
• Circulars

• Regional

• Issued by 4NW                                                                                 
• Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)
• Part of the ‘Development Plan’
• Set regional housing targets which have now been abolished by new government
• Will be removed completely once legislation revised
• What will replace the regional tier?????

• Local

• Some Local Planning Authorities still have a Local Plan or a UDP (some policies may not have been saved).  Being replaced by LDF.
• Local Plans/UDPs/LDFs are part of the ‘Development Plan’
• Supplementary Planning Documents
• Unadopted Planning Guidance
• Development Briefs

Emerging Policy Framework

• Local
• Local Strategic Partnership
• Sustainable Community Strategy
• Local Development Frameworks
• Core Strategy
• Site Specific Allocations
• Proposals Map
• Area Action Plans
• Statement of Community Involvement
• Local Development Scheme
• Annual Monitoring Report

LDF Preparation

• Consultation Stages:
• Evidence gathering
• SHLAA, SHMA, ELR, Retail Study, SFRA, Strategic Infrastructure Study, etc…
• SHLAA required by para 33 of PPS3 to show ‘local and sub-regional evidence of the availability of suitable land for housing’.
• SHMA deals with need and demand for housing
• Priority is given to previously developed land
• Local Authorities must show a 15 year supply of housing land (which used to be linked to RSS housing figures)
• A supply of deliverable sites for the first 5 years has to be shown.  These sites must be:
• Available
• Suitable
• Achievable
• Consultation Stages:
• SHLAA
• Local Authorities start the SHLAA process with a ‘Call for Sites’
• These sites are reviewed against key criteria to assess their suitability
• Some sites are discounted, some are considered longer term and some are allocated for the first 5 years according to their deliverability.
• Once the sites have been assessed, the document is published for consultation before being finalised. 
• It is very important that the document is up to date
• Wyre’s SHLAA is currently being updated and will be published in July 2010.  

• Consultation Stages for LDF Documents:

• 1 - Issues & Options (Regulation 25)
• 2 - Preferred Options (Regulation 26)
• 3 - Formal Submission (Regulation 28
• Examination in Public (Regulation 34)
• 3 tests of soundness
• Formal adoption of Development Plan Document (Regulation 36)
• Adoption & Monitoring
• Can take 4 years from start to finish!!

• Area Action Plan for Fleetwood and Thornton adopted September 2009
• SHLAA already mentioned – Update July 2010
• Core Strategy
• Issues & Options consultation 2008
• Preferred Options to be published end of 2010
• Adoption by 2012
• Site Allocations DPD put back (2014 adoption)

Planning Applications

• Must comply with policy
• 21 day consultation period
• Delegated or Committee decision
• Can speak at committee
• No third party right of appeal
• Judicial Review

Tips to Ensure Involvement

• Stay Informed
• Get involved early
• Be prepared
• Follow the guidelines
• Work together