Coundon and Leeholme Neighbourhood Forum: Empowering Our Community's Future
Coundon and Leeholme
The Coundon and Leeholme Neighbourhood Forum started when 3 planning applications were submitted to the County Council which, if passed unopposed, would mean the creation of over 300 additional dwellings, the majority of which would be on a valued ‘township field’ which had been in constant agricultural use for a very long time.
Whilst the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan would not affect these particular developments, it was felt that we needed to put something in place to help protect the character and environment of the community. We value the green space around us and wish to preserve whilst improving the us of land within the area.
Coundon and Leeholme area is not part of a parish and because of this we need to create a Neighbourhood Forum to drive the Plan. Both the Forum and the specific Area must be submitted to the county council for approval and official designation. With this designation comes the ability to apply for government funding and to create and submit the Plan.
The Plan, needs to be approved by the council, independent examination, and will be subject to a local referendum. Only after passing all these stages will the Plan be adopted as part of the County Plan.
Aside from the planning aspects which will be in effect after it is adopted by the county council, the Plan can include non-planning issues and policies which could highlight local issues and solutions, as well as indicating future directions for the community to work towards.
The function of a Neighbourhood Forum is to empower local communities to actively engage in the planning and development of their specific area. These forums are established to effectively represent the diverse interests of residents and various stakeholders within a defined neighbourhood, allowing them the opportunity to have a meaningful say in the local decision-making process.
Key roles of a Neighbourhood Forum include:
Community Engagement: - The forum facilitates open and constructive communication among local residents, encouraging widespread participation and ensuring that a variety of perspectives are considered in important local planning matters.
Planning Policy Development: - It provides a valuable platform for developing a comprehensive Neighbourhood Development Plan, which outlines the community's shared vision for future development. This plan can significantly shape housing, business, and environmental policies that accurately reflect the needs, aspirations, and desires of the community.
Consultation and Feedback: - The forum acts as a vital conduit for conducting consultations with planning authorities, ensuring that the views and needs of local residents are effectively communicated and adequately considered in all planning proposals.
Local Priorities: - It identifies and advocates for key local priorities and issues that are of great importance to the community, working collaboratively with local authorities to address these pressing concerns in a manner that benefits everyone involved.
Capacity Building: - The forum supports the empowerment of residents by providing essential information and training to help them better understand the planning process, thus increasing their ability to influence local decisions and outcomes effectively.
In summary, Neighbourhood Forums play a crucial and indispensable role in community engagement and ensuring that local voices are actively heard in the planning and development processes that significantly impact their lives.
Forum
Neighbourhood Plan
Neighbourhood Plans were introduced by the Localism Act introduced in 2011 and can benefit local communities in many ways, such as -
Community voice
Give local people a direct say in how their area develops. They can choose where new buildings should be built, what they should look like, and what infrastructure should be provided.
Sustainable development
Help communities tackle long-term challenges in a sustainable way. For example, they can protect green spaces, or set aside land for employment.
Community facilities
Help influence the facilities that are provided in the area.
Community relationships
Foster more positive relationships between communities, developers, and local authorities.
Community revenue
Parishes with a neighbourhood plan may receive a larger share of Community Infrastructure Levy revenues.