The question of neighbourhood planning is an important issue as our country attempts to expand the housing construction and availability market. While we have no neighbourhood plans in Bath, the Government has recently strengthened the use of the local plan, which sets the rules for how an area will develop over time. In determining planning applications, local councils must have regard to a local plan as well as to national planning policy and neighbourhood plans.
As a local resident myself, I personally believe that local councils and local residents should be at the heart of the planning system, and thus, I fully support the Government’s decision in strengthening the use of the local plan. After all, I believe that it is for local councils to have a local plan put in place, drawn up in consultation with local people, so that they can determine where development should and should not go. I am encouraged that 89 per cent of local planning authorities have now published a local plan, with 74 per cent having an adopted one in place. This compares to 17 per cent having an adopted plan in 2010.
I want all areas to be covered by an up to date plan, and that is why a statutory requirement is being brought forward in the Neighbourhood Planning Bill for local planning authorities to identify strategic priorities, and set out policies to address them in their development plan documents. The Bill also further strengthens neighbourhood planning. I believe this has been instrumental in giving real power to local people to shape their area, and play a part in delivering the housing and other development that they need. After all, it is important to note that neighbourhood plans have weight in law, and the Government wants to make sure that locally elected officials make decisions that are in line with these plans.
I am further pleased to say that the National Planning Policy Framework provides the strongest possible protection for the countryside and local green spaces. Additionally, the Government is working hard to return every inch of brownfield land back to use. Such measures allow for new housing development, while protecting our most important natural environments. Further to this, I am also pleased in knowing that local residents have been given the final say over whether onshore wind farm applications receive the go-ahead in their area.