FTCPlan

Terms of Reference

The development of the Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan is managed by the Stakeholder Group. The Terms of Reference for the Group are given below:

Article 4 and Neighbourhood Planning TOR v3

National Planning Policy Framework 2018

If you have ever wondered where some of the planning policies that we all enjoy the benefit of come from, then refer to the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, in planner-speak known as the NPPF. You can view it here:

NPPF 2018

Falmouth Plan community engagement kicks off

On 23rd March the 6 week community engagement period, seeking to gather the views of local people, kicked off with a Press launch followed by a presentation to the Falmouth Town Council ‘Annual Parish Meeting’. A copy of the presentation can be found here:

Falmouth Annual Parish Meeting Presentation

Engagement Strategy

For a Neighbourhood Plan to reach its full potential in delivering sustainable development as part of the statutory planning framework, and have real local credibility, it must be prepared by the community that lives in, works in and uses the neighbourhood.

The Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan Stakeholder Group has therefore prepared a strategy for engaging with and involving all sectors the community in the preparation and adoption of the Plan.

The Group is conscious of the difference between community engagement and participation, and simple consultation. The intention is therefore to encourage active participation in the work of producing the, through an active dialogue with the community during the engagement stages, using a mix of approaches that will ensure that community understanding of issues is promoted, opinions and ideas are recorded effectively, and feedback to the community is ensured. The strategy statement , which also includes detailed action plans, is a ‘work in progress’ and will be updated as we pass each stage in the Neighbourhood Plan process.

FALMOUTH-ENGAGEMENT-STRATEGY

Designation

Cornwall Council has formally ‘Designated’ the Falmouth Neighbourhood Area under the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012.

Under these any Neighbourhood Plan being produced must be carried out within the Area, the extent of which must be submitted to, publicly advertised, consulted on and approved by Cornwall Council.

The application for designation was submitted by the Town Council on 17th November and after consulting the public and statutory bodies from Friday 28^th November 2014 to Friday 9^th January 2015 , Cornwall Council confirmed the Designation on 16th January 2015.

In confirming the Designation the Cornwall Council took into account the comments received during the consultation period. These may be found here: Falmouth Delegated Report

Copies of the application and approval papers are below:

Designation application

Falmouth Designation Decision Notice

Designation Map

Politeness and Moderation Policy

We aim to encourage involvement by all in our community in intelligent discussion of Neighbourhood Planning topics.

We do this by publishing regular ‘posts’ (articles) on various Neighbourhood Planning related issues on the planforfalmouth.info website, and providing all in the community the opportunity to comment on or discuss the content of those posts. It’s also possible for people to put forward their own ideas for the future of the town.

We will moderate such comments in line with the guidelines given below, which aim to ensure this website is an inviting space which is inclusive, safe, polite and accessible.

Guidelines

There are 7 simple guidelines which we expect all participants in the community areas of the website to abide by.

1. Debate and dissent is welcomed, but personal attacks (on authors of posts or comments, other users or any individual) will not be published.

2. Criticism of the posts we publish will be accepted, but we will not allow persistent misrepresentation of the Town Council and the Neighbourhood Plan Stakeholder Group to be published.

3. Any content that in our opinion others might find extremely offensive or threatening will not be published. Please respect other people’s views and beliefs and consider your impact on others when making your contribution.

4. Contributions that could be interpreted as criticising or attacking people on the basis of their race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age will not be published.

5. No content that may put us or contributors in legal jeopardy, such as potentially libellous or defamatory postings, or material posted in potential breach of copyright will be published.

6. Any posts that are obviously commercial or otherwise spam-like will not be published.

7. If you spot something problematic please report it.

The Law

For those seeking the legislative roots of Neighbourhood Planning, and the clear statement that Neighbourhood Plans must be taken into account in planning decisions, please see the documents attached below:

Planning-Act-sections-amended-to-incorporate-Neighbourhood-Plans

The-Neighbourhood-Planning-General-Regulations (Amendment) Regulations 2015

The-Neighbourhood-Planning-General-Regulations-

National Planning Practice Guidance

As well as the NPPF the Government has also published the National Planning Practice Guidance portal which provides guidance to Planners, Councillors, planning applicants, developers, and the public as to how the National Planning Policy Framework is to be used. The portal can be found here.

The NPPG includes a section specifically about neighbourhood planning. This provides advice on the neighbourhood planning system introduced by the Localism Act including key stages and decisions (e.g. deciding neighbourhood areas, the legal tests for neighbourhood plans, and the process of independent examination and referendum).

A powerful tool for change

Locality has issued a new document explaining how Neighbourhood planning is ‘designed to provide a powerful set of tools to ensure you get the right types of development in the right place for your community’.

It says that local residents and businesses are now in a position to make planning policies that reflect their priorities, deliver tangible local benefits and have real weight in the planning system. Hear Hear!

A copy is available here

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, said Leonardo da Vinci. Thats a view shared by Locality, who have released a guide to help neighbourhood planning groups think through how to produce a simple plan.

‘No-one should be put off by fear of the procedures or by thinking you need to prepare a long and complex document. It is the community’s plan and needs only to deal with the planning issues that matter to you.’ – Tony Burton.

You can find the Keeping it Simple guide here

Politeness and Moderation Policy

Falmouth Neighbourhood Plan Cookies Policy