Regional Studies Association Research Network Governing Metropolitan Regions within a Localist Agenda: London, Paris and Berlin

Second Seminar: 22nd February 2013Institutional and Policy Issues: Articulating Scales

Institut d’Urbanisme de Paris, Université Paris-Est Créteil***********

A critical review of neighbourhood planning in London: ‘Empowerment’ or a transfer of

responsibilities without power?

Nick BaileyUniversity of Westminster

baileyn@westminster.ac.uk

I will discuss........

• Reinvention of localism in England in 2010• Setting up neighbourhood forums • Powers to prepare neighbourhood plans• How do they fit into the current planning system?• Some examples in London• Implications for metropolitan governance

- positive aspects- negative implications

• Conclusions

Localism in England

• Localism Act 2011• Parallel to parish councils (2007 Act)• Neighbourhood forums:

- Have at least 21 members. - established to promote the well-being of the area - must be open to new members - must have a written constitution - must have taken reasonable steps to secure membership from residents, business and local elected members across the neighbourhood area- formation and area must be approved by local authority

Neighbourhood Plans - requirements

• Plan must have regard to national policy• National Planning Policy Framework• Strategic elements of the London Plan and Local

Development Framework; • Compatible with EU obligations - an environment

assessment may need to be carried out if the plan is likely to have significant environmental effects

• Conformity, examination, referendum • Other methods available – Action Area Plans under the

Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act, 2004

New Powers • Up to £30,000 available to prepare plan but work mainly

done by volunteers

• Neighbourhood Development Orders (development specific): Orders that permit development for specific types of minor development without applying for planning permission

• Community Right to Build Orders (site specific): Orders that permit development for a specific site without the need to apply for planning permission

London’s 33 Boroughs

City of Westminster

City of Westminster

Cross-border neighbourhood forums

Highgate Neighbourhood Area and the Neighbourhood Forum.

Approved by both London Boroughs of Camden and Haringey in December 2012

London Borough of Camden

London Borough of Haringey

King’s Cross Neighbourhood Forum

Camden

Islington

Norland Neighbourhood Forum

First Neighbourhood Forum in London confirmed by Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in June 2012

The Norland Conservation Society (founded in 1969, now with 370 members) has revises the Norland Conservation Area Proposal Statement, originally prepared in 1981, and is taking this forward as a Neighbourhood Plan.

Positive aspects

• Creating a new level of democracy in many areas;

• Creating a dialogue between residents, local business and local authorities;

• Stimulating a debate about local needs and opportunities but no extra funding;

• Integrating local priorities in planning system through statutory processes;

• Recent announcement that up to 25% of a new local tax (CIL) can be allocated for local needs and infrastructure

Negative Implications

• Will only happen in areas with history of activism;• Introducing third tier of statutory planning in London;• Potential for further confusion and uncertainty• Can local communities cope with the complexities of planning

with limited LA support?• Disagreements over definitions of borders and membership;• Potential conflict between participatory and representative

democracy;• Will be in addition to rather than in place of others, e.g.

Business Improvement Districts, partnerships, amenity societies etc (all with different boundaries);

Conclusions

• Localism v centralism• Uneven distribution of neighbourhood forums and plans and

complications where boundaries are crossed• Overlap with business organisations (BIDs)• Creating new third tier of plans in London• Dependence on volunteers to produce plans• Will forums be inclusive, representative and accountable?• Some forums may become politically influential on other local

issues such as services and plans, others may decline• Uncertainty about how local infrastructure will be funded• Will neighbourhoods begin to influence 2nd and 3rd tier plans?

Nick Bailey baileyn@westminster.ac.uk