With the publication of its action note, 'Existing tools for Neighbourhood Planning', the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) today (26 May) urged councils and communities to use the tools that already exist in the planning system to shape their neighbourhoods.

Trudi Elliot, Chief Executive of the RTPI ,said: “Councils and communities do not have to wait for the Localism Bill to receive Royal Assent to shape their neighbourhoods. The best councils are already blazing a trail and fully empowering communities. Others can get planning now using a range of underused and often unacknowledged tools in the planning system.”

She added: “The toolkit includes non-statutory options such as village design statements and parish plans, statutory options such as contributing to the council’s Local Development Framework and Area Action Plans, using permitted development orders for smaller non controversial developments, and inputting into the pre-application process for individual schemes. The existing powers already allow people to have a big say in shaping their area.”

The RTPI’s paper is designed to demonstrate how local communities can get on with shaping their areas in advance of the Localism Bill being enacted.

The paper also suggests how communities can access advice on how they can get advice on neighbourhood planning.

In parallel, the RTPI has also issued examples of existing tools in use.

Author:

james butler

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

26-May-11

Categories:

 

Sections:

News & Media

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