This document provides guidance on developing neighborhood plans, including: - Plans must conform with national policy and strategic local plans, and demonstrate deliverable and evidence-based policies. - Policies should be robust, promote development, and shape improvements in a positive way. - When writing policies, state the intent, justify it with evidence, and use clear planning language. - An example policy aims to limit student housing conversions and maintain community balance, citing evidence of rapid shifts in resident demographics.

1. #neighbourhoodplanning
Policy
Wording

2. #neighbourhoodplanning
Neighbourhood Plan Objectives
Charlotte.dring@communities.gsi.gov.uk

3. Content of a Neighbourhood Plan?

4. Policy Wording
Conformity
Deliverability
Evidence
Robust & Implementable
Advice and assistance is available….

5. Conformity: Have regard to national policy and be
in general conformity with the strategic policies of
the development plan
Deliverability: Realistic prospect of deliverability -
demonstrate that the policies and proposals are
deliverable
– E.g. impact of collective policy requirements
Evidence: Appropriate; sufficient justification and
evidence to support the policies
– be proportionate; use existing sources where
possible; think about objectivity
Robustness: statutory Planning document –
policies need to be robust, deliverable and function
as Planning policies rather than statements of
intent

6. National Planning Policy
Framework
• Planning must be a creative exercise in finding ways
to enhance and improve the places in which we live
our lives…
• Neighbourhoods should plan positively to support
local development, shaping and directing
development in their area…
• Every effort should be made objectively to identify
and then meet the housing, business and other
development needs of an area, and respond
positively to wider opportunities for growth…
• Neighbourhood plans should not promote less
development than set out in the Local Plan…

7. Policy
Intent
Justification
What do you want to do,
and why? Set it out in
plain English
Use Planning language –
precise, speak to your LA
What is the evidence to
support this intention?
Starting to write

8. Exeter St James – Policy C1:
Houses in multiple occupation
Intent
Halt conversions to HMO; ensure area
stays attractive to all sectors; diverse
population, people at all stages of life.
Community balance; rapid increase in
proportion of students; loss of
permanent residents in some areas; 20%
threshold
Policy
Justification
“Changes of use to houses in HMO will
not be permitted unless; a), b)… e)”

9. Examining General Conformity

10. Examining Language

11. #neighbourhoodplanning
Mobilisation