The Localism Act 2011
The aim of the Act is to facilitate the devolution of decision-making powers from central government control to individuals and communities.  The provisions of the Localism Act 2011 introduced the concept of neighbourhood planning, giving communities statutory powers to shape how their communities develop.
 

Neighbourhood planning
Neighbourhood planning provides the opportunity for communities to set out a shared vision for how they want their community to grow and develop over the next, say, 10, 15, or 20 years in ways that meet identified local need and make sense for local people.  Communities can choose where they want new homes, shops, and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided.
 

What a neighbourhood plan can do
A neighbourhood plan puts in place planning policy for a neighbourhood area to guide future development. The neighbourhood plan is about the use and development of land and may contain a vision, aims, planning policies, proposals for improving the area or providing new facilities, or the allocation of key sites for specific kinds of development. It may deal also with social, economic, and environmental issues such as housing, employment, design, heritage, and transport.  A neighbourhood plan can designate areas of greenspace to safeguard them from development where certain criteria are met, such as a clear community benefit and public accessibility.
 

What a neighbourhood plan can't do
A neighbourhood plan must meet certain specified basic conditions. These ensure plans contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, have regard to national policy and guidance and are in general conformity with adopted strategic local planning policies.  It cannot be used to stop development that has already been permitted or identified through the Local Plan.  A neighbourhood plan should not promote less development than that identified in the local plan for the area.  The plan cannot designate land that is not currently accessible or has no existing community benefit or prevent landowners from making decisions about the use of their land.
 

When does a neighbourhood plan come into force?
Once a neighbourhood plan has been completed, it will have to be submitted to the local planning authority (Test Valley Borough Council) and then be subject to an independent examination. This will make sure that the proper legal process has been followed and that the plan meets the basic conditions described above.
 

Neighbourhood plans are subjected to a public referendum. It is necessary that more than 50% of those voting in the referendum vote “yes” for the plan to be formally adopted.  When completed and adopted, a neighbourhood plan will become part of the statutory development plan for the area.  This means that the planning authority must use the neighbourhood plan when deciding planning applications.
 

Does Awbridge need a neighbourhood plan?
Neighbourhood planning is not a legal requirement, but a right which communities in England can choose to use.

A questionnaire issued to Awbridge parishioners in connection with neighbourhood planning contained a question designed to elicit views on the characteristics of the village they valued most. The most popular features included:

 - the quiet, peaceful, unspoiled rural location of the village

 - ready access to the countryside and a network of public footpaths

 - the relative closeness to urban facilities in Romsey, Southampton,

 - Salisbury & Winchester

 - the sense of community  
 

The characteristics listed above make Awbridge a popular place to live. This, combined with population growth, will create pressure to find land for further housing development. Development is currently taking place but is small in scale and achieved through infilling existing gardens and/or replacing existing dwellings. This type of development does not tend to result in a mix of housing sizes, or the provision of affordable housing. The latter is cited as a reason local young people must find a home outside the village. Demographic changes, including an ageing population, will create demand for smaller properties that enable down-sizing.
 

The environmental advantages of a neighbourhood plan
The community in Awbridge will have to accept that there will always be pressure to release land for housing development, and that further development is going to take place. With a neighbourhood plan in place the community will be able to influence the amount, form, and impact of this development, and will have a real voice in seeking to protect the character of their village and its environs.
 

The financial advantages of a neighbourhood plan
Parish and town councils impacted by development currently receive fifteen per cent of the Community Infrastructure Levy collected from developers by Test Valley Borough Council. Town and parish councils can use this for the benefit of their communities. The total amount of CIL that parish and town councils can receive is subject to a cap.
 

Where there is a neighbourhood plan in place the percentage of CIL received by parish and town councils rises to twenty-five percent, and there is no cap on the total amount receivable.
 

Who pays for the creation of a neighbourhood plan?
Grants for planning consultancy services and expenses such as the hire of venues, and publicity material are available from central government.  The Awbridge Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, which is run by volunteers, has secured a government grant of almost £10,000.  This will fund the support of a planning consultant who will advise and offer guidance on the more technical aspects of creating the neighbourhood plan.  Support is also being provided by Awbridge Parish Council and Test Valley Borough Council.


When is the neighbourhood plan going to happen?
Awbridge Parish Council applied for the designation of a neighbourhood planning area covering the parish of Awbridge in early 2018.  This was subsequently approved in the summer of that year.  Loss of volunteers (individuals left the village) and the COVID Pandemic seriously impeded the process of creating our neighbourhood plan.  Despite these difficulties the Awbridge Plan is taking shape, and a target completion timeframe of two years (late 2024) seems achievable.
 

How can I get involved?
The Awbridge Neighbourhood Plan Working Group welcomes new volunteers to participate in creating the Neighbourhood Plan.  By joining the Working Group you can take part in creating sections of the plan, feed back comments on documents produced by the Group, and participate in public engagement/information meetings.