Frequently Asked Questions - Community Planning

What is the difference between Parish Plans, Village Design Statements and Neighbourhood Plans?

A Parish Plan provides information about a variety of needs concerning well being and social activity of the local population, which incorporates all aspects of life and can include the physical needs of an area.

A Village Design Statement (VDS) only focuses on the physical (spatial) aspects of the community e.g. housing, hedges, lighting, signage. A VDS can be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance and will then be used as evidence when consideration is given to future planning applications in the area.

The Neighbourhood Plan is a new concept that was presented as part of the recent Localism Bill. Our current understanding is that a Neighbourhood Plan would be instigated by a neighbourhood group, in partnership with the local planning authority and set within the context of the local and national planning policy framework. We await final details of what exactly a Neighbourhood Plan will be and how it will be used.

How much teeth / power will community plans have?

There is no formal power that a community plan has to influence decision-making. However, the Community Planning Protocol makes a commitment that all service providers are expected to consider the findings and recommendations contained within a community plan and respond to the community with regard to the likely timescale for them being implemented or the reasons why no action will be taken.

There can be a lot of confusion over cross-border matters, where issues affect communities across borders between Winchester and other neighbouring disctricts. How do we ensure that our concerns are heard by all of the appropriate people?

The Community Planning Protocol makes a commitment for Winchester City Council to liaise with neighbouring local authorities and Local Strategic Partnerships, ensuring that our neighbour organisations hear the local concerns and that solutions to the concerns identified are developed in a joined-up manner. It is also important that communities consider the impact of their own recommendations on neighbouring communities when developing a plan.

I have heard about community 'clusters', where parishes group together to make a community plan. What about the differences that exist across parishes and how do we deal with the conflicts which arise if we're meant to be working in these groupings?

Grouping together with neighbouring parishes is a good idea, especially if you live in a small community and need more support to develop a community plan. By working together people can identify common priorities upon which they can agree and speak with greater numbers, which can have a bigger impact on policy development and service provision. If there are occasions when parishes disagree on priorities, then the plan can relect the different issues that affect each community and highlight the issues of greatest concern to each.

My parish has identified a number of specific issues through our consultation. How do we get these addressed?

We can put you in touch with the right organisastions and specialist people to help deal with the issues.