Question 1

What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

Accepted Answer

Neighbourhood planning was introduced in the Localism Act 2011. It is an important and powerful tool that gives communities statutory powers to shape how their communities develop.    In very simple terms, a Neighbourhood Plan is a document that sets out planning policies for the neighbourhood area – planning policies are used to decide whether to approve planning applications.   It is written by the local community, the people who know and love the area, rather than the Local Planning Authority and is a powerful tool to ensure the community gets the right types of development, in the right place.   Neighbourhood plans must be subjected to an independent examination to confirm that they meet legal requirements, and then to a local referendum. If approved by a majority vote of the local community, the neighbourhood plan will then form part of the statutory development plan.     The statutory development plan focuses on land use development set within the context of wider social, economic and environmental trends and considerations. It reflects national planning policies to make provisions for the long-term use of land and buildings.

Question 2

What does a Neighbourhood Plan do?

Accepted Answer

The neighbourhood planning process gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. They are able to have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and even grant planning permission for new buildings they want to see go ahead.   Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools, the Neighbourhood Plan being one of these, for local people to plan for the types of development to meet their community’s needs and where the ambition of the neighbourhood is aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider local area.  It is important to emphasise that the power of a Neighbourhood Plan is in the future. It cannot hinder or overturn planning decisions that have already been officially made.

Question 3

What is the Community Infrastructure Levy?

Accepted Answer

The Community Infrastructure Levy allows local authorities to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in their areas. Money can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure such as transport schemes, schools and leisure centres.

Question 4

Why am I being asked to fill in a survey and attend events?

Accepted Answer

Neighbourhood plans came into being to give local residents a meaningful say in what is happening in their neighbourhood. This is the chance for you, and everyone else who lives in Bodmin, to have a say and help to influence how Bodmin develops in the years to come.    The regulations that govern the Neighbourhood Plan process require that the opinions of local residents are taken into account, and that these must be recorded. So, we will be arranging to collect people’s opinions in a structured way following a number of key themes. This will include a survey and various feedback exercises that will be designed to explore people’s main concerns and what they feel are the most important things to consider as Bodmin grows. When it is safe to do so, we will arrange some community events where we can get together and start talking about specific solutions and actions that we want to take forward. In the meantime, we will use whatever technologies we can, including the website and social media, to involve and engage residents.These various consultations will form the evidence base, along with factual and statistical evidence such as demographics, existing housing mix etc. that will shape the strategic policies that form the contents of the final Neighbourhood Plan.

Question 5

How can I get involved?

Accepted Answer

There are many ways that you can get involved and information will be publicised to tell you when, where and how you can take part.     You can:   fill in the survey form online or the paper copy. Paper copies will be made available at locations around the town, including Shire Hall, from April 12th . Details of all of these locations and where you can return your completed forms will be made available on the Bodmin Plan website and the Bodmins Neighbourhood Plan Facebook group. visit the Have Your Say! Page attend any of the events that are taking place (see the Events page on this website for more information on these). Please note that we are not sure when physical gatherings will be possible· vote in the final public referendumIf you would like to get more involved and help with the community engagement or putting the Plan together please do contact the Steering Group, using the Contact Page on this website.

Question 6

Who is responsible for getting the Plan completed?

Accepted Answer

A group of people called the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group are responsible for putting the Neighbourhood Plan together.      Following the agreement by Bodmin Town Council to create a Neighbourhood Plan for Bodmin, the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group was formed to engage with the community and to implement the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan document.  ​  The Steering Group currently consists of the following Town Councillor Members:  E M Ahearn 
J A Bassett 
P Brown 
J P Cooper (Chairman) 
P T Cooper 
J R Gibbs 
D A Henderson 
P L G Skea    In addition to these eight members of Bodmin Town Council, membership of the Steering Group will be open to the public indefinitely, up to a maximum of 15 voting members, as independent representatives from the Bodmin community. If a Town Councillor is not re-elected, leaves short of his/her term or simply does not stand for election again, it shall be up to the group, whether that person shall remain a member of the group in another capacity.  even independent formal representatives will also be elected to sit on     The main purpose of the Bodmin Steering Group is to oversee the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan for Bodmin in order that this will then progress to Independent Examination and a successful community referendum and ultimately be adopted by Cornwall Council to become planning policy.   The Steering Group will engage the local community to ensure that the Plan is truly representative of the ambitions of Bodmin. The Group will maximise support for the approach taken in the Neighbourhood Plan by ensuring high levels of community engagement throughout the plan-making process.   The Steering Group will undertake the process in a democratic, transparent and fair fashion, encouraging widespread participation and giving equal consideration to opinions and ideas from all members of the community. All decisions made shall be fully evidenced and supported through consultation with the local community.

Question 7

How long will it take to complete?

Accepted Answer

The aim is to take the Plan to public referendum in September 2022.

Question 8

Have Cornwall Council been notified of our intention?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Cornwall Council are aware of our plans.  More details of our proposal can be located on their site: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/neighbourhood-planning/neighbourhood-planning-in-cornwall/tab-placeholder/a-i/bodmin-neighbourhood-development-plan/