Localism in London Simon Bevan Acting Director of Planning London Borough of Southwark
Localism – why the scepticism? •
New processes in the Localism Act could be used to frustrate development rather than facilitate it
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Fear that anyone could walk into the town hall and ask for recognition for their neighbourhood plan process
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They will also demand resources be diverted to their plan
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Local authority has the responsibility to recognise the qualifying body
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Local authority has the responsibility to carry out the referendum
Localism – why be positive? •
Neighbourhood planning can be an extension of the work already being done as a partnership between the authority and the community
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Can be seen as a partnership to share power rather than a struggle to seize power
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Communities can be very resourceful and imaginative – can work out how to accommodate growth in a way that is less divisive
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A neighbourhood plan based on sound principles may not need a referendum
Challenges •
Fragmented community interspersed with major commercial areas
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Wide variations in income levels and other socio-economic characteristics
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High population turnover
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Reconciling needs of community with strategic and commercial needs
Sign up for news and updates Team London Bridge – greening the area through partnership with business
Posted on January 6, 2012 by JohnPaul
Reply A series of initatives to green the north of the Bermondsey Neighbourhood Forum area are being led by the business partnership organisation Team London Bridge – working in conjunction with Leathermarket JMB, the Peter de Haan Trust, Southwark Council and a number of other partners. Estates in Bloom The centrepiece of the greening projects is the ‘Estates in Bloom’ initiative, which will green three of the local housing estates over the next five years, providing gardening initiatives for the residents living there and volunteering opportunities for people working in the local businesses.
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What is the Neighbourhood Plan for? •
No greenfield sites - no straightforward brownfield sites
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Only opportunities for small, complicated infill development – ‘hidden homes’
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Detailed knowledge of what the community needs
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Bringing together an extremely diverse neighbourhood
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Strategic planning by the Mayor and London boroughs will continue to ensure growth and prosperity – neighbourhood planning adds finer detail
Lessons from experience so far • Front runner projects have taken a long time to establish basic principles • Neighbourhood plan may be a useful tool – but is it the right tool for the job? • Development of a stronger community of interest within Southwark • Some players motivated by a sense of power – but need to understand the benefit of thinking small