Planning our future – The Localism Act and neighbourhood planning

Planning our future – The Localism Act and neighbourhood planning

Saturday 24th March 2012, 9.30am to 4.30pm

Armada House, Telephone Avenue, Bristol BS1 4BQ

Free but booking is required

The Localism Act is intended to give communities a real voice in the planning system. It allows community groups to form ‘Neighbourhood Forums’ and to create Neighbourhood Development Plans, to help shape development in their area.

But how will it work in practice? How much power will community groups really have? And just how will decisions be made about which groups act as the Neighbourhood Forum for their area?

If you are interested in planning and development in your area and you want to learn more about how the Localism Act will work, CPRE is running a conference in Bristol to try to answer those questions. It is open to individuals and community groups who want to learn how to have a real voice in planning for their local area.

Speakers will include Paul Miner (CPRE Senior Planning Campaigner) and Sarah O’Driscoll (Bristol City Council Strategic Planning Service Manager).

There will be talks by ‘front-runner’ groups about the reality of producing Neighbourhood Development Plans, and discussions on the more awkward questions that the Localism Bill has brought up – just what are the limits of Localism? How can community groups effectively involve and engage the people in their area in planning? And can communities really use the Localism Act to say no to unwanted development?

Lunch will be provided – please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.

Places for this event are limited and will be allocated ‘first come first served’.

For more information or to book a place, please contact:

Joe Evans, CPRE Avonside. 07854 741130 director@cpreavonside.org.uk

Supporting Communities and Neighbourhoods in Planning is a joint project between CPRE and the National Association of Local Councils, funded by DCLG.