Three years on from the introduction of the Localism Act 2011;
A third of London boroughs have no neighbourhood forums,
One successful plan has been introduced so far, and
It is unlikely more than a handful of neighbourhood plans will be in place by the time of the next election.
The London Assembly Planning Committee’s report ‘Localism in London – What’s the Story’ reviews the evidence and finds slow progress in the uptake of devolving powers to local communities.
The report highlights that the legislation was designed primarily for smaller, more homogenous areas than can be found in London. London’s complex network of mixed communities with diverse interests seems to make even defining neighbourhood areas a difficult and time consuming process.
Chair of the Planning Committee, Nicky Gavron said;
“Planning shapes the places where people live and work and it is right that local people should be involved in the process of deciding local priorities. This is why the Planning Committee agrees that the idea of neighbourhood planning, promoted in the Localism Act, is a positive one. But with only 80 of London’s 1,200 neighbourhoods expressing an interest in this new planning process,
we think that the policy is in need of a refresh in London to make it work more effectively.
This report provides an opportunity to develop views on what the Mayor should be doing to help support neighbourhood planning.
In light of Government reforms on permitted development, many neighbourhoods are developing valuable local assets like community spaces, shops, and offices. More should be done to facilitate neighbourhood plans that protect what exists, not just promoting new developments.”
The Committee is asking for feedback on the following issues, which it can then take to the Mayor;
Clarifying why progress is so slow
Whether there is sufficient local authority support and
Whether boroughs are interpreting the legislation consistently in London
The Localism Act also introduced new rights for individuals and communities to take over community assets through the Community Right to Bid[3].. The report notes that the use of this part of the Act appears to be more widespread across London. The process is simpler and perhaps reflects something that is more tangible to local people.
Notes for Editors:
Read the report ‘Localism in London – What’s the Story’ (below)
The first review of community involvement in planning culminated with the publication of a report on the role of neighbourhood plans in February 2012. /sites/default/files/NBH%20Planning_v3%20AB.pdf The Committee followed this up in October 2013 with a review of the progress in London towards establishing neighbourhood planning /moderngov/documents/s29408/13-10-10-Neighbourhood-Planning.pdf and how provisions in the Localism Act that allow the listing of community assets are being used /moderngov/documents/s29409/13-10-10%20Community%20Assets%20Report.pdf
The other main new rights are Community Right to Challenge and Community Right to Build
Chair of the Planning Committee, Nicky Gavron, is available for interview. See contact details below.
As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.