What you need to know
Other plans
There are a number of other place-based plans that will or could exist that relate to your place, that should be taken into consideration when you are developing a Local Place Plan. If your planning authority has information about Place Plans on their website, they might also provide links to the relevant local plans for your area. The legislation states that you have to consider:
The existing Local Development Plan (or Plans) that relate to the area your plan covers (You will find this on your planning authority’s website)
The National Planning Framework (known as NPF4)
A locality plan that relates to the area your plan covers (you will usually find this on your local Community Planning Partnership website)
However, there may be other plans that, although there’s not a statutory requirement for you to consider, will be important for you to consider and/or incorporate. For example, your area might have an Active Travel Plan that the community were consulted about, or there might be a Community Action Plan that has been put together by another group or organisation. Even if you didn’t prepare these plans, if they have been created through consulting with the community you might want to incorporate any spatial issues that the community has identified in them.
Ultimately, having a good knowledge of different local plans and developing partnerships and joined up activities within these, will contribute to shaping more successful and resilient communities.
This will be demonstrated through rich local relationships, spaces, services, activities and opportunities being available for the whole community which makes it a place that people want to live, work, visit, play and enjoy…….and that journey can all start with a plan!
So, when developing a CAP or an LPP, it is always useful to consider:
What plans are already in place – do some research to identify existing plans and explore their content, identifying if any information on potential spatial considerations could be used. Also, where existing plans are in place, consider the age of the plan and whether the information is still relevant or whether further discussions are necessary to build on what has been done before.
Where further discussions or new conversations with communities are necessary, ensuring that equalities are considered, and steps are taken to give all community members appropriate opportunities to be involved in discussions. Using the National Standards for Community Engagement to design any engagement activities will help to maximise participation and reduce any barriers that exist.
Ensuring that agency and service reps are willing to help develop and implement community led plans and that all planning is linked to this. This will often need them to have the ability to change how services are delivered to make them more effective locally.
Seeking support if needed to help with the process, explore where similar exercises have been completed in other areas and identify any local groups or organisations that could help you maximise your knowledge or engagement activities
A comparison guide