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Bulletin
No. 6 March 2017
The capital's neighbourhood planning pioneers gather for the first Neighbourhood Planners.London conference
Neighbourhood Planning in London - the next five years: Thank you to everyone who came and made our first conference such a success. With nearly 150 neighbourhood planners in the room this was the largest event of its kind yet held and demonstrated once again the strength of the growing movement in London.
As well as a diverse range of speakers covering everything from digital tools to air pollution, we published our new research report on the relationship between Local Plans and neighbourhood planning. We were also pleased to launch a new graphic prepared with London Communications Agency showing the spread of neighbourhood planning across the city.
Looking ahead we were left with a clear steer on some future issues which people want to see addressed. We plan to organise a short survey so everyone can input to this thinking.
Two early priorities will be to influence the shape of the Government's funding programme for neighbourhood planning beyond next year so it addresses London's needs and to organise something more in depth to look at data, digital and engagement.
Do let us know if you know of a large and accessible venue which could hold similar numbers at an affordable price so we can start to plan for 2018.
Our thanks to neighbourhood planning champions Henry Petersen and Ben Stephenson and to Locality for supporting this event and to all those who made it possible.
NEW REPORT - London's Local Plans - We published our second research report at the conference. This reviews whether London's Local Plans are supporting neighbourhood planning. Our overall conclusion is that the situation is, at best, patchy, and we make recommendations to secure more effective support. These range from the relationship with neighbourhood planning becoming part of the "soundness test" for Local Plans to securing support in the new London Plan. Read London's Local Plans: are they supporting neighbourhood planning by Henry Petersen.
Latest neighbourhood plan graphic - We have collaborated with London Communications Agency to update its graphic showing the spread of neighbourhood planning across the capital. Have a look and tell us what's been missed.
New outliers on the MAP - Our latest MAPshowing progress of neighbourhood planning has new outliers in the south (Malden Rushett) and east (North Woolwich & Silvertown). Ickenham is the most westerly forum and Hadley Wood the most northerly. Do check whether we have all the details right for your area or if you know of somewhere we've missed.
Democratising data - Our conference heard of exciting work underway to improve the use of digital in planning. This includes a number of projects supported by the Future Cities Catapult programme on the Future of Planning. Read our latest blog to see how HACT is using this programme to democratise data for neighbourhood planners and get involved in some of the pilots.
Highgate next to referendum - The Examiners report into Highgate's neighbourhood plan is now available. Highgate was one of the first, and largest, neighbourhood areas in London and its plan - which also includes a list of spending priorities for the Community Infrastructure Levy - looks set to be the sixth in London to go forward, with a referendum set for 29 June.
West Ealing lines up as England's third business neighbourhood - West Ealing Centre Neighbourhood Forum has submitted its plan to Ealing Council. It is the third business neighbourhood in England to do so and follows hard on the heels of neighbouring Central Ealing.
Neighbourhood Planners.London exists to support neighbourhood planners in London and raise the profile of neighbourhood planning in the capital. Support us by offering your time or making a donation. You can find out more on our website, contact us by email or get involved on twitter using the links above.
This Bulletin is produced by Tony Burton on behalf of Neighbourhood Planners.London - we welcome feedback and please let us know of any errors
