Issue 13 - October 2011 (PDF - Chipping Norton Times

Market towns test
planning powers
From a report by Ruralcity Media
RURAL and market towns are among 36 more
communities that will try out new planning powers,
bringing the total to ninety communities that are
among the first to test out new neighbourhood
planning powers introduced in the Localism Bill.
Planning minister Greg Clark said neighbourhood
planning would give local people a real voice in deciding
how development will look in their area, allowing
people to shape their own vision for their community –
in contrast to top-down regional strategies that are
being scrapped.
• Communities would be able to decide the locations of
shops, offices and schools, protect valuable green
spaces and set standards of design for new housing.
• In areas where local people want to see homes and
businesses built, communities would be allowed to
grant blanket planning permission.
• The community would also have the final say on
whether a neighbourhood plan comes into force. If
more than 50% of people voting in a local referendum
support the plan, then the local planning authority
must bring it into force.
Mr Clark said: "For too long local people have been shut
out of the planning process with no real voice to affect
decisions about the places where they live. Unpopular
regional strategies left people without the ability to
influence the future of their community and this fuelled
resentment towards growth."
In each of the selected communities the local council
will receive £20,000 to support work on neighbourhood
planning as well as free advice from planning experts.
RSN’s rural consultant Brian Wilson, of Brian Wilson
Associates, said rural communities had a proud history
of developing parish and town plans. "The advantage of
the neighbourhood planning approach is that it will
have statutory legitimacy. However, along with this will
come additional complexity which could turn some
rural communities off."
In South Oxfordshire, Thame town council is already
focusing on the local need for more affordable housing
and transport infrastructure. In Northumberland two
rural parishes are concentrating on the need for more
affordable housing, a new high school and an education
campus. In Wiltshire, Sherston Parish Council is aiming
to deliver new homes, especially affordable homes for
elderly and disabled residents. Its plan will also look at
the need for key local infrastructure such as high speed
broadband, new schools and the development of a
community orchard. Meanwhile, local businesses in
Rutland are working with the community on a
neighbourhood plan for Uppingham town centre.
The list of 36 communities includes Chipping Norton in
West Oxfordshire, Thame and Woodcote in South
Oxfordshire, Malmesbury and Sherston in Wiltshire.
18
New approach 'vital' to save services
From a report by Ruralcity Media
Budget cuts mean a new approach is vital to maintain rural
public services, the government has been warned. A report
commissioned by Defra warns that significant funding reductions
mean new ways are needed to maintain and enhance public
services. "This challenge is particularly acute in rural areas,"
warns the document.
The report, Developing Collaborative and Innovative Approaches
to the Delivery of Rural Services, was written for Defra's Rural
Community Policy Unit. A full copy of the document can be
downloaded from www.rsnonline.org.uk
“At risk are smaller and more dispersed populations. Some
services will become increasingly vulnerable to further
reductions in funding, these include services with high fixed
costs relating to staffing and premises, and those relying on a
minimum scale of activity to retain critical mass. Pressure facing
some services – for example rural primary schools, libraries and
buses – is already reaching a tipping point. A fundamental
change in the way services are delivered is therefore needed to
maintain access to services in some parts of rural England.
Innovation and collaboration in local service delivery is well
established in rural areas. However, the range of public services
delivered and managed by local communities is extensive and
includes schools, libraries, transport and social housing."
Further engagement of communities in local service provision
could help meet the challenges faced by rural public service
providers, the report adds. The development of community scale
solutions around service provision should be diverse and have
different features depending on local conditions.”
Rural fund reopens for applications
From Ruralcity Media at rsnonline.org.uk
The Prince's Countryside Fund has re-opened for applications
from projects that benefit rural communities.
With over £1.5 million donated the Fund has so far supported 19
projects. These are as diverse as hill farming apprenticeship
schemes, supporting school farms and community transport
schemes. In addition to these projects, the fund supports three
farming help charities through a dedicated emergency funding
stream.
Applications are invited from projects working towards securing
a sustainable future for the British countryside and rural
communities. Eligible projects must clearly contribute towards
one or more of the fund's charitable objects and fit within the
following areas:
* Improving the sustainability of British farming
* Improving the sustainability of rural communities
* Reconnecting people with the countryside
More detailed information about eligibility criteria can be found
online at www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk.
The deadline for submissions is 5pm on 14 October 2011.
Applications received after this time will not be considered. All
applications will be acknowledged and successful projects will be
notified in the New Year.