Neighbourhood Planning

In 2011 the Government brought into effect the Localism Act, one aspect of the Act is that it introduces neighbourhood planning. The idea is that communities can be involved in producing Neighbourhood Plans which set out policies on development and use of land in a parish or 'neighbourhood area'. As Tandridge District has parish councils covering the entire area, only parish councils will be able to produce Neighbourhood Plans.

The purpose of Neighbourhood Plans

Parish Councils can use neighbourhood planning to:

set planning policies through Neighbourhood Plans to determine decisions on planning applications; and
grant planning permission through Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders for specific development which complies with the order.

The ambition of the neighbourhood should be aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area. Neighbourhood Plans must be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the Local Plan. Neighbourhood Plans should reflect the policies contained in the Local Plan and neighbourhoods should plan positively to support the Local Plan. Neighbourhood Plans and Orders should not promote less development than set out in the Local Plan or undermine its strategic policies. Outside these strategic elements, Neighbourhood Plans will be able to shape and direct sustainable development in their area.

The process of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan

As a first step Parish Council's are required to submit an application to the District Council to designate a Neighbourhood Area. Applications will be published on this web page. When a draft Neighbourhood Plan has been produced it will need to be submitted for a formal examination in front of an independent inspector. If the Plan is found to be 'sound' it will then be the subject of a local referendum, if the referendum agrees to the Plan the District Council will then adopt the Neighbourhood Plan as part of the statutory development plan for the area.

We have produced a Neighbourhood Planning Guide to the Statutory Process to help explain the formal and legal steps a Neighbourhood Plan must follow.

The Royal Town Planning Institute and Planning Aid have an Neighbourhood Planning Forum This link will open in a new window (This link will open in a new window) for groups involved in Neighbourhood Planning or who are interested in the process.

Neighbourhood Planning in Tandridge

Woldingham

A formal application was made by Woldingham Parish Council to designate the Neighbourhood Area was received by the Council and was publicised in accordance with the relevant Regulations. No comments were received. On 14th May 2013 the Council designated the Woldingham Parish a Neigbourhood Area. The area is shown on this map: Woldingham proposed neighbourhood plan map

Caterham, Chaldon, Whyteleafe

The first proposal for a Neighbourhood Plan in Tandridge is for the area made up by the Caterham Hill Parish, Caterham Valley Parish, Chaldon Parish and Whyteleafe Parish. This proposed Neighbourhood Plan was the subject of a "front runner" bid for Government funding in late 2011. The bid was successful and £20,000 has been awarded to help prepare the Neighbourhood Plan. As far as the District Council is aware no additional front runner funding is being made available. More details can be found on the "CR3" Forum This link will open in a new window (This link will open in a new window) web site.

A formal application made by Caterham Hill Parish Council, Caterham Valley Parish Council, Chaldon Village Council and Whyteleafe Village Council to designate the Neighbourhood Area was received by the Council and was publicised in accordance with the relevant Regulations. No comments were received. On 18th July 2012 the Council designated the Caterham Hill/Caterham Valley/Chaldon/Whyteleafe Neigbourhood Area. The area is shown on this Map of CR3 Neighbourhood Area.

More information

More general information on Neighbourhood Planning can be found on the Neighbourhood Planning DCLG web page This link will open in a new window (This link will open in a new window).

We have also produced a Neighbourhood Planning - useful links document which gives live links to other web sites and information.

For further information please contact Customer Services on 01883 722000 or e-mail customerservices@tandridge.gov.uk

Or write to us at:
Tandridge District Council
8 Station Road East
Oxted RH8 0BT

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