Neighbourhood Planning Workshop 30th January 2016

Jeff Newton & John Steel Members of the Boston Spa Neighbourhood Planning group Wednesday 30th January 2016 St. George’s Centre Leeds

Boston Spa Neighbourhood Plan Agenda: • The village • The history • The strategy • The policies • Key activities • The challenges • The lessons • Next steps

Boston Spa Village •

Leeds Outer North East

•

3 miles south of Wetherby

•

Centre of the “Golden Triangle”

•

2011 Census: 1,887 dwellings, 4,049 inhabitants

The Neighbourhood Plan – History 1 • Started Spring 2012: Parish Council invited participation • Steering Group plus 6 topic groups • • • • • •

Housing Heritage Business and Employment Environment Traffic and Getting About Community and Wellbeing

• About 30 enthusiastic amateurs • 2013: Consultation sessions Workshops and Questionnaire 40 organisations contacted Young People’s Project Public Exhibition

The Neighbourhood Plan – History 2 • 2013 and 14 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐

Workshops Professional Tutoring Policy Development Community Actions

• Autumn 2014 – Draft Plan and Policies • Wandered in the wilderness • Winter 2015 ‐ Discussions Consultants, Ian Mackay, Steven Wilkinson

‐ Final Version

The Strategy Vision: • “Respecting History, Adapting to Change, Improving Lives” • To be an identifiable village community which has a proud sense of history and purpose; which is largely self sufficient, and which is an attractive place to live, work in and to visit.

Objectives: 1. Retain the character, scale and quality of the built environment 2. Encourage new housing that contributes positively and sustainably 3. Create a vibrant and attractive village centre 4. Preserve existing and promote an increase in green spaces 5. Improve wildlife habitats and increase the tree cover 6. Improve access by provision of new footpaths and cycle‐ways 7. Address public transport: connectivity to York 8. Promote and encourage renewable energy generation

The Policies • Web site: http://www.bostonspapc.org.uk/Boston‐Spa‐Parish‐Council/Default‐4480.aspx

• Total – 31 Policies – 19 Community actions

• Where’s Housing – 3 policies: • Design principles for all developments • Design principles within conservation area • Sustainability and compliance (national and local)

• Housing

Example Policies

All new developments must provide an appropriate mix of housing types, having regard to the identified need within the village, the character of the location and neighbouring assets.

• Other Topics Developments able to generate more than 10% of their predicted energy needs from renewable sources, other than wind turbines, on site, or within the village envelope, will be encouraged

• Community Actions The introduction of residents only parking on designated streets will be supported.

Key Activities • • • • • • • •

Lack of core strategy was a distraction Understand planning don’t try to plan “Micro” v “Macro” Engaged with developers Housing was the driver Residents wanted much more Frustration of developments outside the village Collaboration with neighbours

Community Actions • Communicate • Engage • Deliver, for example:  Trees in the centre  Hydro Electric Scheme  Improved Public Transport  A People Friendly Village Centre

The Challenges • Enthusiastic, Ignorant, Incompetent ‐ Engaged with the community ‐ Developed ideas, consensus ‐ Drafted policies

• Enthusiastic, Wise, Incompetent ‐ Knew what we wanted

‐ Didn’t know the rules

• Worn down, Wise, Knowledgeable ‐ Struggled to satisfy the stakeholders

• Worn down, wise, relieved ‐ Developed finishing strategy and compromises

The Lessons Massive learning curve for everyone 4 years is too long: from inception to election Need to understand the restraints and process Housing is the focus for the inspector and the planners • The inhabitants have broader needs • Policies and Community Actions • • • •

The Next Steps • Outcomes: ‐ The Plan: referendum summer 2016

• Actions: ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐

Revitalising the Village Centre Hydro Electric Scheme Better Public Transport??

Community Engagement??

Delivering a People Friendly Village Centre

A people friendly village centre Now

Then

Thank You