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Statutory Instruments

2012 No. 637

Town And Country Planning, England

The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012

Made

1st March 2012

Laid before Parliament

6th March 2012

Coming into force

6th April 2012

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 61E, 61F, 61G, 61K, 61L, 61M and 71A of, and paragraphs 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 15 of Schedule 4B and paragraphs 3 and 11 of Schedule 4C to, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990(1), and sections 38A, 38B and 122(1) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004(2), and being a designated(3) Minister for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972(4) in relation to the environment, makes the following Regulations.

PART 1General

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 and come into force on 6th April 2012.

Review

2.—(1) Before the end of each review period, the Secretary of State must—

(a)carry out a review of these Regulations (other than regulations 32 and 33 and Schedules 2 and 3),

(b)set out the conclusions of the review in a report, and

(c)publish the report.

(2) The report must in particular—

(a)set out the objectives intended to be achieved by the regulatory system established by these Regulations,

(b)assess the extent to which those objectives are achieved, and

(c)assess whether those objectives remain appropriate and, if so, the extent to which they could be achieved with a system that imposes less regulation.

(3) “Review period” means—

(a)the period of five years beginning with the day on which these Regulations come into force, and

(b)subject to paragraph (4), each successive period of five years.

(4) If a report under this regulation is published before the last day of the review period to which it relates, the following review period is to begin with the day on which that report is published.

Interpretation

3.  In these Regulations—

“the 1990 Act” means the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

“the 2004 Act” means the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004;

“address” in relation to electronic communications means any number or address used for the purposes of such communications;

“approvals application” means an application for approval, in relation to a condition or limitation subject to which planning permission is granted by a neighbourhood development order, under section 61L(2) of the 1990 Act;

“area application” means an application for the designation of a neighbourhood area made under section 61G of the 1990 Act;

“consultation body” has the meaning given in Schedule 1;

“contact details” means the name, address and telephone number of the person concerned;

“EIA Regulations” means the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011(5);

“electronic communication” has the meaning given in section 15(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000(6);

“electronic communications apparatus” has the meaning given in paragraph 1(1) of the electronic communications code;

“electronic communications code” has the meaning given in section 106(1) of the Communications Act 2003(7);

“inspection” means inspection by the public;

“neighbourhood forum application” means an application for designation of a neighbourhood forum made by an organisation or body under section 61F of the 1990 Act;

“order proposal” means a proposal for a neighbourhood development order submitted by a qualifying body(8) under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act or community right to build order submitted by a community organisation(9) under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act, as read with paragraph 2 of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act; and

“plan proposal” means a proposal for a neighbourhood development plan submitted by a qualifying body(10) under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as applied, with modifications, by section 38A of the 2004 Act).

Electronic communications

4.—(1) Where within these Regulations—

(a)a person is required to consult or seek representations from another person or body; and

(b)that other person has an address for the purposes of electronic communications;

the document, copy, notice or notification may be sent or made by way of electronic communication.

(2) Where within these Regulations a person may make representations on any matter or document, those representations may be made—

(a)in writing, or

(b)by way of electronic communication.

(3) Where—

(a)an electronic communication is used as mentioned in paragraphs (1) and (2); and

(b)the communication is received by the recipient outside normal working hours;

it shall be taken to have been received on the next working day.

(4) In this regulation “working day” means a day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971(11) or other public holiday in England.

PART 2Neighbourhood Areas

Application for designation of a neighbourhood area

5.—(1) Where a relevant body(12) submits an area application to the local planning authority it must include—

(a)a map which identifies the area to which the area application relates;

(b)a statement explaining why this area is considered appropriate to be designated as a neighbourhood area; and

(c)a statement that the organisation or body making the area application is a relevant body for the purposes of section 61G of the 1990 Act.

(2) A local planning authority may decline to consider an area application if the relevant body has already made an area application and a decision has not yet been made on that application.

Publicising an area application

6.  As soon as possible after receiving an area application from a relevant body, a local planning authority must publicise the following on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the area application to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the area to which the area application relates—

(a)a copy of the area application;

(b)details of how to make representations; and

(c)the date by which those representations must be received, being not less than 6 weeks from the date on which the area application is first publicised.

Publicising a designation of a neighbourhood area etc

7.—(1) As soon as possible after designating a neighbourhood area, a local planning authority must publish the following on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the designation to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(a)the name of the neighbourhood area;

(b)a map which identifies the area; and

(c)the name of the relevant body who applied for the designation.

(2) As soon as possible after deciding to refuse to designate a neighbourhood area, a local planning authority must publish the following on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the refusal to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area —

(a)a document setting out the decision and a statement of their reasons for making that decision (“the decision document”); and

(b)details of where and when the decision document may be inspected.

PART 3Neighbourhood forums

Application for designation of a neighbourhood forum

8.  Where an organisation or body submits a neighbourhood forum application to the local planning authority it must include—

(a)the name of the proposed neighbourhood forum;

(b)a copy of the written constitution of the proposed neighbourhood forum;

(c)the name of the neighbourhood area to which the application relates and a map which identifies the area;

(d)the contact details of at least one member of the proposed neighbourhood forum to be made public under regulations 9 and 10; and

(e)a statement which explains how the proposed neighbourhood forum meets the conditions contained in section 61F(5) of the 1990 Act.

Publicising a neighbourhood forum application

9.  As soon as possible after receiving a neighbourhood forum application, which the local planning authority do not decline to consider under regulation 11, a local planning authority must publish the following on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the application to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the area to which the application relates—

(a)a copy of the application;

(b)a statement that if a designation is made no other organisation or body may be designated for that neighbourhood area until that designation expires or is withdrawn;

(c)details of how to make representations; and

(d)the date by which those representations must be received, being not less than 6 weeks from the date on which the application is first publicised.

Publicising a designation of a neighbourhood forum

10.—(1) As soon as possible after designating a neighbourhood forum, a local planning authority must publish the following on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the designation to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(a)the name of the neighbourhood forum;

(b)a copy of the written constitution of the neighbourhood forum;

(c)the name of the neighbourhood area to which the designation relates; and

(d)contact details for at least one member of the neighbourhood forum.

(2) As soon as possible after deciding to refuse to designate a neighbourhood forum, a local planning authority must publish the following on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the decision to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(a)a statement setting out the decision and their reasons for making that decision (“the refusal statement”); and

(b)details of where and when the refusal statement may be inspected.

Subsequent applications

11.  Where a neighbourhood forum has been designated in relation to a neighbourhood area under section 61F of the 1990 Act, and that designation has not expired or been withdrawn, a local planning authority may decline to consider any neighbourhood forum application made in relation to that neighbourhood area.

Voluntary withdrawal of designation

12.—(1) Where a neighbourhood forum gives notice to a local planning authority that it no longer wishes to be designated as the neighbourhood forum for a neighbourhood area, the local planning authority must withdraw the designation of the neighbourhood forum.

(2) As soon as possible after withdrawing the designation of a neighbourhood forum under paragraph (1) or under section 61F(9) of the 1990 Act, a local planning authority must publish the following on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the withdrawal of the designation to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(a)a statement setting out details of the withdrawal (“the withdrawal statement”); and

(b)details of where and when the withdrawal statement may be inspected.

PART 4Community right to build organisations

Prescribed conditions for community right to build organisations

13.—(1) For the purposes of paragraph 3(1)(b) of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act, the following additional conditions are prescribed for any community organisation which is not a parish council—

(a)individuals who live or work in the particular area for which the community organisation is established (“the particular area”) must be entitled to become voting members of the community organisation (whether or not others can also become voting members); and

(b)the constitution of the community organisation must—

(i)provide that taken together the individuals who live in the particular area—

(aa)hold the majority of the voting rights; and

(bb)have the majority on the board of directors or governing body,

of the community organisation;

(ii)include a statement—

(aa)that the community organisation will carry on its activities for the benefit of the community in the particular area or a section of it; and

(bb)indicating how it is proposed the community organisation’s activities will benefit the community in the particular area (or a section of it);

(iii)provide that any assets of the community organisation may not be disposed of, improved or developed except in a manner which the community organisation consider benefits the community in the particular area or a section of it; and

(iv)provide that any profits from its activities may only be used to benefit the community in the particular area or a section of it (the payment of profits directly to members or directors is not to be considered a benefit to the community in the particular area or a section of it);

(v)provide that in the event of the winding up of the community organisation or in any other circumstances where the community organisation ceases to exist, its assets must be transferred to another body corporate which has similar objectives; and

(vi)provide that the organisation has at least 10 members, living in different dwellings to each other, who live in the particular area.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, “dwelling” has the meaning given in section 3 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992(13).

PART 5Neighbourhood development plans

Pre-submission consultation and publicity

14.  Before submitting a plan proposal to the local planning authority, a qualifying body must—

(a)publicise, in a manner that is likely to bring it to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)details of the proposals for a neighbourhood development plan;

(ii)details of where and when the proposals for a neighbourhood development plan may be inspected;

(iii)details of how to make representations; and

(iv)the date by which those representations must be received, being not less than 6 weeks from the date on which the draft proposal is first publicised;

(b)consult any consultation body referred to in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 whose interests the qualifying body considers may be affected by the proposals for a neighbourhood development plan; and

(c)send a copy of the proposals for a neighbourhood development plan to the local planning authority.

Plan proposals

15.—(1) Where a qualifying body submits a plan proposal to the local planning authority, it must include—

(a)a map or statement which identifies the area to which the proposed neighbourhood development plan relates;

(b)a consultation statement;

(c)the proposed neighbourhood development plan; and

(d)a statement explaining how the proposed neighbourhood development plan meets the requirements of paragraph 8 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act.

(2) In this regulation “consultation statement” means a document which—

(a)contains details of the persons and bodies who were consulted about the proposed neighbourhood development plan;

(b)explains how they were consulted;

(c)summarises the main issues and concerns raised by the persons consulted; and

(d)describes how these issues and concerns have been considered and, where relevant, addressed in the proposed neighbourhood development plan.

Publicising a plan proposal

16.  As soon as possible after receiving a plan proposal which includes each of the documents referred to in regulation 15(1), a local planning authority must—

(a)publicise the following on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the proposal to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)details of the plan proposal;

(ii)details of where and when the plan proposal may be inspected;

(iii)details of how to make representations;

(iv)a statement that any representations may include a request to be notified of the local planning authority’s decision under regulation 19 in relation to the neighbourhood development plan; and

(v)the date by which those representations must be received, being not less than 6 weeks from the date on which the plan proposal is first publicised; and

(b)notify any consultation body which is referred to in the consultation statement submitted in accordance with regulation 15, that the plan proposal has been received.

Submission of plan proposal to examination

17.  As soon as possible after the appointment of a person to carry out an examination under paragraph 7 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as applied by section 38A of the 2004 Act), a local planning authority must send the following to the person appointed—

(a)the plan proposal;

(b)the documents referred to in regulation 15(1) and any other document submitted to the local planning authority by the qualifying body in relation to the plan proposal;

(c)if the order proposal is one to which the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010(14) applies, the information submitted in accordance with regulation 102A of those Regulations; and

(d)a copy of any representations which have been made in accordance with regulation 16.

Publication of the examiner’s report and plan proposal decisions

18.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where a local planning authority decide—

(a)to decline to consider a plan proposal under paragraph 5 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as applied by section 38A of the 2004 Act);

(b)to refuse a plan proposal under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as applied by section 38A of the 2004 Act);

(c)what action to take in response to the recommendations of an examiner made in a report under paragraph 10 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as applied by section 38A of the 2004 Act) in relation to a neighbourhood development plan;

(d)what modifications, if any, they are to make to the draft plan under paragraph 12(6) of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as applied by section 38A of the 2004 Act);

(e)whether to extend the area to which the referendum is (or referendums are) to take place; or

(f)that they are not satisfied with the plan proposal under paragraph 12(10) of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as applied by section 38A of the 2004 Act).

(2) As soon as possible after making a decision referred to in paragraph (1), a local planning authority must publish—

(a)the decision and their reasons for it (“the decision statement”),

(b)details of where and when the decision statement may be inspected; and

(c)in the case of a decision mentioned in paragraph (1)(c), the report made by the examiner under paragraph 10 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as applied by section 38A of the 2004 Act),

on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the decision statement and, as the case may be, the report to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area.

Decision on a plan proposal

19.  As soon as possible after deciding to make a neighbourhood development plan under section 38A(4) of the 2004 Act or refusing to make a plan under section 38A(6) of the 2004 Act, a local planning authority must—

(a)publish on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the decision to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)a statement setting out the decision and their reasons for making that decision (“the decision statement”);

(ii)details of where and when the decision statement may be inspected; and

(b)send a copy of the decision statement to—

(i)the qualifying body; and

(ii)any person who asked to be notified of the decision.

Publicising a neighbourhood development plan

20.  As soon as possible after making a neighbourhood development plan under section 38A(4) of the 2004 Act, a local planning authority must—

(a)publish on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the decision to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)the neighbourhood development plan; and

(ii)details of where and when the neighbourhood development plan may be inspected; and

(b)notify any person who asked to be notified of the making of the neighbourhood development plan that it has been made and where and when it may be inspected.

PART 6Neighbourhood development orders and community right to build orders

Pre-submission consultation and publicity

21.  Before submitting an order proposal to the local planning authority, a qualifying body must—

(a)publicise, in a manner that is likely to bring it to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)details of the proposals for a neighbourhood development order or community right to build order;

(ii)details of where and when the proposals may be inspected;

(iii)details of how to make representations; and

(iv)the date by which those representations must be received, being not less than 6 weeks from the date on which details of the proposals are first publicised;

(b)consult—

(i)any consultation body referred to in paragraph 2(1)(a) to (c) of Schedule 1 whose interests the qualifying body considers may be affected by the proposals for a neighbourhood development order or a community right to build order; and

(ii)where the qualifying body considers the development to be authorised under the proposed neighbourhood development order or community right to build order which falls within any category set out in the Table in paragraph 2 of Schedule 1, any consultation body mentioned in the Table in relation to each of those categories; and

(iii)any person who, on the date 21 days before the order proposal is submitted under regulation 22, the qualifying body considers to be—

(aa)an owner of any of the land which is proposed to be developed under the order proposal; and

(bb)a tenant of any of that land; and

(c)send a copy of the proposals for a neighbourhood development order or a community right to build order to the local planning authority.

Order proposals

22.—(1) Where a qualifying body submits an order proposal to the local planning authority it must include—

(a)a map which identifies the land to which the order proposal relates;

(b)a consultation statement;

(c)the proposed neighbourhood development order or community right to build order;

(d)where the qualifying body considers it appropriate, following consultation with the Historic Buildings and Monument Commission for England (known as English Heritage), an archaeology statement;

(e)a statement explaining how the proposed neighbourhood development order or a community right to build order meets the basic conditions in paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act; and

(f)in the case of a proposal for a community right to build order, details of the enfranchisement rights(15), if any, which the qualifying body proposes are not exercisable and the properties, or types of properties, in relation to which to the enfranchisement rights are not exercisable.

(2) In this regulation—

“archaeology statement” means a document which—

(a)

confirms that the information in relation to archaeology contained in the historic environment record for the neighbourhood area has been reviewed;

(b)

sets out the findings from that review for the area to which the order proposal relates; and

(c)

explains how the findings have been taken into account in preparing the order proposal,

but where no findings relevant to the neighbourhood area were identified in the review the archaeology statement need only—

(i)

confirm that the review mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) took place; and

(ii)

explain there were no findings relevant to the neighbourhood area; and

“consultation statement” means a document which—

(a)

contains details of the persons and bodies who were consulted about the proposed neighbourhood development order or community right to build order;

(b)

explains how they were consulted;

(c)

summarises the main issues and concerns raised by the persons consulted; and

(d)

describes how these issues and concerns have been considered and, where relevant, addressed in the proposed neighbourhood development order or community right to build order.

Publicising an order proposal

23.—(1) As soon as possible after receiving an order proposal which includes each of the documents referred to in regulation 22(1), a local planning authority must—

(a)publicise the following on their website and in such other manner they consider is likely to bring the proposal to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)details of the order proposal;

(ii)details of where and when the order proposal may be inspected;

(iii)details of how to make representations;

(iv)a statement that any representations may include a request to be notified of the local planning authority’s decision under regulation 26 in relation to the neighbourhood development order or community right to build order; and

(v)the date by which those representations must be received, being not less than 6 weeks from the date on which the proposal is first publicised; and

(b)notify any consultation body which is referred to in the consultation statement submitted in accordance with regulation 22, that the order proposal has been received.

(2) As soon as possible after receiving an order proposal to which regulation 29A of the EIA Regulations(16) applies, the local planning authority must, in addition to any publicity required under paragraph (1), publicise the information described in paragraph (1)(a) and the environmental statement submitted in accordance with the EIA Regulations by giving notice—

(a)by site display in at least one place on or near the land to which the order proposal relates for not less than 21 days; and

(b)by publication of the notice in a newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land to which the order proposal relates is situated.

Submission of order proposal to examination

24.  As soon as possible after the appointment of a person to carry out an examination under paragraph 7 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act, a local planning authority must send the following to the person appointed—

(a)the order proposal;

(b)the documents referred to in regulation 22(1);

(c)if the order proposal is one to which regulation 29A of the EIA Regulations applies, the environmental statement submitted in accordance with those Regulations;

(d)if the order proposal is one to which the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010(17) applies, the information submitted in accordance with regulation 61(2) of those Regulations;

(e)any other document submitted to the local planning authority by the qualifying body in relation to the order proposal; and

(f)a copy of any representations which have been made in accordance with regulation 23.

Publication of the examiner’s report and order proposal decisions

25.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where a local planning authority decide—

(a)to decline to consider an order proposal under paragraph 5 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act;

(b)to refuse an order proposal under paragraph 6 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act;

(c)what action to take in response to the recommendations of an examiner made in a report under paragraph 10 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act in relation to a neighbourhood development order or community right to build order (as modified in the case of community right to build orders by paragraphs 7 to 10 of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act);

(d)what modifications, if any, they are to make to the draft neighbourhood development order or community right to build order under paragraph 12(6) of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as modified in the case of community right to build orders by paragraphs 7 to 10 of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act);

(e)whether to extend the area to which the referendum is (or referendums are) to take place; or

(f)that they are not satisfied with the proposed neighbourhood development order or community right to build order under paragraph 12(10) of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act (as modified in the case of community right to build orders by paragraphs 7 to 10 of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act).

(2) As soon as possible after making a decision referred to in paragraph (1), a local planning authority must publish—

(a)the decision and their reasons for it (“the decision statement”),

(b)details of where and when the decision statement may be inspected, and

(c)in the case of a decision mentioned in sub-paragraph (c), the report made by the examiner under paragraph 10 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act,

on their website and in such other m anner as they consider is likely to bring the decision statement and, as the case may be, the report to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area.

Decision on an order proposal

26.  As soon as possible after deciding to make the neighbourhood development order or community right to build order under section 61E(4) of the 1990 Act or to refuse to make it under section 61E(8) of the 1990 Act (as modified in the case of community right to build orders by paragraphs 7 to 10 of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act), a local planning authority must—

(a)publish on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the order to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)a document setting out their decision and their reasons for making that decision (“the decision document”);

(ii)details of where and when the decision document may be inspected;

(b)send a copy of the decision document to—

(i)the qualifying body or the community organisation, as the case may be; and

(ii)any person who asked to be notified of the decision.

Publicising a neighbourhood development order or a community right to build order

27.  As soon as possible after making a neighbourhood development order or community right to build order under section 61E(4) of the 1990 Act, a local planning authority must —

(a)publish on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the order to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area —

(i)the neighbourhood development order or community right to build order; and

(ii)details of where and when the order may be inspected;

(b)notify any person who asked to be notified of the making of the neighbourhood development order or community right to build order that it has been made and where and when it may be inspected.

PART 7Community right to build orders

Enfranchisement rights

28.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), for the purposes of paragraph 11 of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act, a community organisation may only provide that an enfranchisement right is not exercisable in relation to a property which is not an existing residential property.

(2) An enfranchisement right is not exercisable in relation to land the development of which is authorised by a community right to build order if the community organisation specified in the order proposal—

(a)the enfranchisement rights which are not exercisable; and

(b)the properties, or types of properties, in relation to which those rights are not exercisable.

(3) In this regulation—

“existing residential property” means a property (including part of a building)—

(a)

which exists on the date the order proposal was submitted by the community organisation to the local planning authority under regulation 22; and

(b)

in relation to which, on that date, any tenant of the property has an enfranchisement right in respect of the property.

Notice

29.—(1) Where as a result of the making of a community right to build order an enfranchisement right is not exercisable in respect of a property, a landlord who grants a tenancy in relation to the property must give notice to the tenant affected by endorsing a notice on the face of the tenancy stating that the enfranchisement right in question is not exercisable.

(2) Provided the community organisation complies with regulation 28 a failure to give notice in accordance with paragraph (1) does not cause the enfranchisement right to be exercisable.

PART 8Revocation and modification of a neighbourhood development order, a community right to build order or a neighbourhood development plan

Publicising a modification

30.  As soon as possible after modifying a neighbourhood development plan, a neighbourhood development order or community right to build order under section 61M(4) of the 1990 Act (as applied in the case of neighbourhood development plans by section 38C of the 2004 Act), a local planning authority must—

(a)publish on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the order to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)a document setting out details of the modification (“the modification document”); and

(ii)details of where and when the modification document may be inspected; and

(b)give notice of the modification to the following—

(i)the qualifying body or community organisation, as the case may be; and

(ii)any person the authority previously notified of the making of the order or plan.

Revocation

31.  As soon as possible after revoking a neighbourhood development plan, neighbourhood development order or community right to build order in accordance with section 61M of the 1990 Act (as applied in the case of neighbourhood development plans by section 38C of the 2004 Act), a local planning authority must—

(a)publish on their website and in such other manner as they consider is likely to bring the order to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area—

(i)a document setting out a statement of the revocation and the reasons for it (“the revocation document”); and

(ii)details of where and when the revocation document may be inspected;

(b)give notice of the revocation to—

(i)the qualifying body or community organisation, as the case may be;

(ii)in the case of the revocation of a neighbourhood development order or community right to build order, any person who the authority knows to be the owner or tenant of any part of the land to which the order applies and whose name and address is known to the local planning authority;

(iii)any person the local planning authority notified of the making of the neighbourhood development order, community right to build order or neighbourhood development plan; and

(iv)any other person the local planning authority consider necessary in order to bring the revocation to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the area to which the revoked neighbourhood development order, community right to build order or neighbourhood development plan related; and

(c)cease to make the revoked neighbourhood development order, community right to build order or neighbourhood development plan available on their website and at any other place where it was available for inspection.

PART 9European legislation

Habitats

32.  The provisions of Schedule 2 have effect.

Environmental impact assessment

33.  The provisions of Schedule 3 have effect.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Greg Clark

Minister of State

Department for Communities and Local Government

1st March 2012

Regulation 3

SCHEDULE 1Consultation Bodies

Neighbourhood development plans

1.  For the purposes of regulations 14 and 16, a “consultation body” means—

(a)where the local planning authority is a London borough council, the Mayor of London;

(b)a local planning authority, county council or parish council any part of whose area is in or adjoins the area of the local planning authority;

(c)the Coal Authority(18);

(d)the Homes and Communities Agency(19);

(e)Natural England(20);

(f)the Environment Agency(21);

(g)the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (known as English Heritage)(22);

(h)Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (company number 2904587);

(i)the Highways Agency;

(j)the Marine Management Organisation(23);

(k)any person—

(i)to whom the electronic communications code applies by virtue of a direction given under section 106(3)(a) of the Communications Act 2003; and

(ii)who owns or controls electronic communications apparatus situated in any part of the area of the local planning authority;

(l)where it exercises functions in any part of the neighbourhood area—

(i)a Primary Care Trust established under section 18 of the National Health Service Act 2006(24) or continued in existence by virtue of that section;

(ii)a person to whom a licence has been granted under section 6(1)(b) and (c) of the Electricity Act 1989(25);

(iii)a person to whom a licence has been granted under section 7(2) of the Gas Act 1986(26);

(iv)a sewerage undertaker; and

(v)a water undertaker;

(m)voluntary bodies some or all of whose activities benefit all or any part of the neighbourhood area;

(n)bodies which represent the interests of different racial, ethnic or national groups in the neighbourhood area;

(o)bodies which represent the interests of different religious groups in the neighbourhood area;

(p)bodies which represent the interests of persons carrying on business in the neighbourhood area; and

(q)bodies which represent the interests of disabled persons in the neighbourhood area.

Neighbourhood development orders and community right to build orders

2.—(1) For the purposes of regulations 21 and 23, a “consultation body” means—

(a)any person referred to in paragraph 1(k) and (l);

(b)where the neighbourhood area to which the neighbourhood development order or community right to build order relates consists of or includes the whole or any part of the area of a parish council, that parish council;

(c)any parish council or, in the case of a neighbourhood development order (but not a community right to build order), a neighbourhood forum for an area which adjoins the neighbourhood area; and

(d)where the development to be authorised under the proposed neighbourhood development order or community right to build order falls within any category set out in the following Table, the person mentioned in the Table in relation to each of those categories.

Table

ParagraphDevelopmentConsultation body
(3)

London Protected Vista Directions were made by the Secretary of State under section 74(1)(c) of the 1990 Act.

(a)Any development.The Historic Buildings and Monument Commission for England (known as English Heritage)
(b)Development which falls within a category specified in Schedule 5 to the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010(1).The person mentioned in relation to that category of development in Schedule 5 to that Order
(c)

Development of land—

(i)

forming the site of or in the neighbourhood of a civil aerodrome or technical site; or

(ii)

involving the construction of any building or works extending 91.4 metres or more above ground level.

The Civil Aviation Authority and NATS Holdings Limited
(d)

Development of land—

(i)

forming the site of or in the neighbourhood of a military aerodrome, technical site or explosives storage area; or

(ii)

involving the construction of any highway or formation, laying out or alteration of any means of access to a highway, which is planned to run within 300 metres of the perimeter of a military aerodrome.

Secretary of State for Defence
(e)Development which, in the qualifying body’s opinion, is likely to affect any garden or park of special historic interest which is registered in accordance with section 8C of the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953(2).The Garden History Society
(f)Development in the area of a London borough council to which any of Protected Vista Directions issued by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in July 2010 apply(3).Mayor of London and, in relation to the protected vista of the Tower of London from outside City Hall on Queen’s Walk, the Historic Royal Palaces Trust
(g)Development described in article 26(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010 (development affecting existing or proposed highways).The Highways Agency

(2) In the above Table—

(a)in paragraphs (c) and (d) “aerodrome” means any area of land or water designed, equipped, set apart, commonly used or in prospective use for affording facilities for the landing and departure of aircraft and includes any area of space, whether on the ground, on the roof of a building or elsewhere, which is designed, equipped or set apart for affording facilities for the landing or departure of aircraft capable of descending or climbing vertically, particulars of which have been furnished by the Civil Aviation Authority or the Secretary of State to the local planning authority or authorities for the area in which it is situated;

(b)in paragraph (c) “technical site” means any area within which is sited or is proposed to be sited equipment operated by or on behalf of NATS Holdings Limited, any of its subsidiaries or such other person who holds a licence under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Transport Act 2000(27) for the provision of air traffic services, particulars of which have been furnished by the Civil Aviation Authority to the planning authority or authorities for the area in which it is situated;

(c)in paragraph (d) “technical site” means any area within which is sited or is proposed to be sited equipment operated by or on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence for the provision of air traffic services, particulars of which have been furnished by the Secretary of State for Defence to the planning authority or authorities for the area in which it is situated; and

(d)in paragraph (g) “trunk road” and “special road” have the meanings given in section 329 of the Highways Act 1980(28).

Regulation 32

SCHEDULE 2Habitats

Neighbourhood development plans

1.  In relation to the examination of neighbourhood development plans the following basic condition is prescribed for the purpose of paragraph 8(2)(g) of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act(29)—

Amendments to the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010

2.  The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 are amended in accordance with the following paragraphs.

3.  After regulation 78 (local development orders) insert—

Neighbourhood development orders

Neighbourhood development orders

78A.  A neighbourhood development order may not grant planning permission for development which—

(a)is likely to have a significant effect on a European site or a European offshore marine site (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects); and

(b)is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site..

4.  After regulation 102 (assessment of implications) insert the following—

Assessment of implications for European site: neighbourhood development plans

102A.(1) A qualifying body which submits a proposal for a neighbourhood development plan must provide such information as the competent authority may reasonably require for the purposes of the assessment under regulation 102 or to enable them to determine whether that assessment is required.

(2) In this regulation, “qualifying body” means a parish council, or an organisation or body designated as a neighbourhood forum, authorised for the purposes of a neighbourhood development plan to act in relation to a neighbourhood area as a result of section 61F of the TCPA 1990, as applied by section 38C of the 2004 Planning Act(32).

(3) Where the competent authority decide to revoke or modify a neighbourhood development plan after it has been made, they must for that purpose make an appropriate assessment of the implications for any European site likely to be significantly affected in view of that site’s conservation objectives; and regulation 102 and this regulation apply with the appropriate modifications in relation to such a revocation or modification..

5.  In regulation 107 (interpretation of Chapter 8)—

(a)in paragraph (1)—

(i)in the definition of “land use plan”, at the end of sub-paragraph (f) delete “or” and at the end of sub-paragraph (g) add—

or

(h)a neighbourhood development plan as defined in section 38A (neighbourhood development plans) of the 2004 Planning Act(33);; and

(ii)in the definition of “plan-making authority”, at the end of sub-paragraph (d) delete “or”, at the end of sub-paragraph (e) for “and” substitute “or”, and after sub-paragraph (e) add—

(f)the local planning authority when exercising powers under Schedule 4B to the TCPA 1990 (as applied by section 38A(3) of the 2004 Planning Act); and; and

(b)in paragraph (2), at the end of sub-paragraph (l) delete “or” and at the end of sub-paragraph (m) add—

; or

(n)the holding of a referendum in accordance with paragraph 12(4) of Schedule 4B to the TCPA 1990 (as applied by section 38A(3) of the 2004 Planning Act)..

Regulation 33

SCHEDULE 3Environmental Impact Assessments

1.  In this Schedule—

“EIA development” means development which satisfies the definition of “Schedule 2 development” in regulation 2(1) of the EIA Regulations; and

“environmental information” has the meaning given in regulation 2(1) of the EIA Regulations.

2.  Where the development described in an order proposal is EIA development, the following basic condition is prescribed for the purpose of paragraph 8(2)(g) of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act—

Amendments to the EIA Regulations

3.  The EIA Regulations are amended in accordance with the following paragraphs.

4.  In regulation 2(1) (interpretation)—

(a)before the definition of “the Order”, insert—

“neighbourhood development order” means a neighbourhood development order made pursuant to section 61E;(34);

(b)before the definition of “principal council”, insert—

“order proposal” means a proposal for the making of a neighbourhood development order by a qualifying body under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4B to the Act;; and

(c)before the definition of “register”, insert—

“qualifying body” has the meaning given by section 61E(6);.

5.  In regulation 25(b) (modifications where application by a local planning authority) for “regulations 7 and 8” substitute “regulation 7”.

6.  After regulation 29 (local development orders) insert—

Neighbourhood development orders

29A.(1) This regulation applies to Schedule 2 development for which an order proposal is submitted under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4B to the Act.

(2) Paragraphs (3) and (4) apply where—

(a)the local planning authority adopt a screening opinion; or

(b)the Secretary of State makes a screening direction under these Regulations,

to the effect that the development is Schedule 2 development likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location.

(3) No referendum may be held under paragraph 12(4) of Schedule 4B to the Act on the making of a neighbourhood development order which would grant planning permission for Schedule 2 development likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location unless—

(a)an environmental statement has been prepared in relation to that development;

(b)the local planning authority are satisfied that the basic condition prescribed by paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 is met; and

(c)the local planning authority have first taken the environmental information into consideration, and have stated in their decision that they have done so.

(4) In a case to which this regulation applies these Regulations have effect subject to the following modifications—

(a)regulation 3 shall not apply;

(b)in regulation 4—

(i)for sub-paragraph (2)(a), substitute—

(a)the submission by a qualifying body in relation to that development of a statement referred to by the qualifying body as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations; or; and

(ii)in sub-paragraph (7)(b), for “person” substitute “qualifying body”.

(c)in regulation 5—

(i)for paragraph (1), substitute—

(1) A qualifying body which is minded to submit an order proposal may request the relevant local planning authority to adopt a screening opinion.;

(ii)in paragraph (2)—

(aa)for “in relation to an application for planning permission” substitute “by a qualifying body”; and

(bb)for “person” substitute “qualifying body”;

(iii)paragraph (3) shall not apply; and

(iv)in paragraphs (4) to (8) for each reference to “person” substitute “qualifying body”;

(d)in regulation 6 for each reference to “person” substitute “qualifying body”;

(e)in regulation 7—

(i)for paragraph (a) substitute—

(a)an order proposal which has been submitted to them under paragraph 1 of Schedule 4B to the Act relates to Schedule 2 development; and;

(ii)in paragraph (c)—

(aa)for “application” substitute “order proposal”; and

(bb)for “applicant” substitute “qualifying body”; and

(iii)for “or lodging of the application” substitute “of the order proposal”;

(f)regulations 8 and 9 shall not apply;

(g)in regulation 10—

(i)for paragraph (1) substitute—

(1) Where—

(a)a qualifying body submits an order proposal which is not accompanied by a statement referred to by the qualifying body as an environmental statement for the purposes of these Regulations; and

(b)the relevant planning authority is of the view that the development is Schedule 2 development likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature, size or location,

the authority shall notify the qualifying body in writing that the submission of an environmental statement is required.;

(ii)in paragraph (2)—

(aa)for “application” substitute “order proposal”; and

(bb)for “applicant” substitute “qualifying body”;

(iii)in paragraph (3)—

(aa)for each reference to “applicant” substitute “qualifying body”; and

(bb)for “application” substitute “order proposal”;

(iv)for paragraphs (4) to (7) substitute—

(4) A qualifying body receiving a notification pursuant to paragraph (1) may, within 3 weeks beginning with the date of the notification, write to the relevant planning authority stating—

(a)that it accepts their view and is providing an environmental statement; or

(b)unless the condition referred to in paragraph (5) is satisfied, that it is writing to the Secretary of State to request a screening direction.

(5) For the purpose of paragraph (4)(b) the condition is that the Secretary of State has made a screening direction in respect of the development.

(6) If the qualifying body does not write to the authority in accordance with paragraph (4), unless the condition referred to in paragraph (7) is satisfied, at the end of the 3 week period the relevant planning authority must decline to consider the order proposal.

(7) For the purpose of paragraph (6) the condition is that the Secretary of State has made a screening direction to the effect that the development is not EIA development.;

(v)in paragraph (8) for “determine the relevant application only by refusing planning permission or subsequent consent” substitute “decline to consider the order proposal”; and

(vi)in paragraph (9)—

(aa)for “person” substitute “qualifying body”;

(bb)for “applicant” substitute “qualifying body”;

(cc)for each reference to “application” substitute “order proposal”;

(dd)sub-paragraphs (d) and (e) shall not apply;

(h)regulations 11 and 12 shall not apply;

(i)in regulation 13—

(i)for paragraphs (1) and (2) substitute—

13.(1) A qualifying body which is minded to submit an order proposal in respect of Schedule 2 development likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its size, nature or location may ask the relevant planning authority to state in writing their opinion as to the information to be provided in the environmental statement (“a scoping opinion”).

(2) A request under paragraph (1) shall include—

(a)a plan sufficient to identify the land;

(b)a brief description of the nature and purpose of the development and of its possible effects on the environment; and

(c)such other information or representations as the qualifying body may wish to provide or make.;

(ii)for each reference to “person” substitute “qualifying body”; and

(iii)for paragraph (9) substitute—

(9) An authority which have adopted a scoping opinion in response to a request under paragraph (1) shall not be precluded from requiring additional information from the qualifying body in connection with any statement that may be submitted as an environmental statement in connection with any order proposal that relates to the same development as was referred to in the request.;

(j)in regulation 14—

(i)for each reference to “person” substitute “qualifying body”; and

(ii)for paragraph (6) substitute—

(6) Neither the Secretary of State who has made a scoping direction in response to a request under paragraph (1) nor the relevant planning authority shall be precluded from requiring additional information from the qualifying body in connection with any statement that may be submitted as an environmental statement in connection with any order proposal that relates to the same development as was referred to in the request.;

(k)in regulation 15—

(i)for each reference to “person” substitute “qualifying body”; and

(ii)in paragraph (3), omit “or 11(5) or 12(6)”;

(l)in regulation 16—

(i)in paragraph (1) for “An applicant who makes an EIA application” substitute “A qualifying body which makes an order proposal”;

(ii)for each reference to “applicant” substitute “qualifying body”;

(iii)for each reference to “application” substitute “order proposal”; and

(iv)for paragraph (5) substitute—

(5) The local planning authority shall not submit the order proposal for independent examination under paragraph 7 of Schedule 4B to the Act until the expiry of 14 days from the last date on which a copy of the statement was served in accordance with this regulation.;

(m)in regulation 17—

(i)for paragraphs (1) and (2) (a) and (b) substitute—

Publicity where an environmental statement is submitted after the order proposal

17.(1) Where a qualifying body has submitted an order proposal without an environmental statement and the qualifying body later proposes to submit such a statement, it shall, before submitting it, comply with paragraphs (2) to (5).

(2) The qualifying body shall publish in a local newspaper circulating in the locality in which the land to which the order proposal relates is situated a notice stating—

(a)the qualifying body’s name, that an order proposal has been submitted, and the name and address of the relevant planning authority;

(b)the date on which the order proposal was submitted;;

(ii)in sub-paragraph (2)(d)(i) for “application” substitute “order proposal”;

(iii)sub-paragraph (2)(d)(ii) shall not apply;

(iv)for sub-paragraph (2)(i) and (j) substitute—

(i)that any person wishing to make representations about the order proposal should make them in writing, before the date named in accordance with sub-paragraph (e), to the relevant planning authority.;

(v)in sub-paragraph (3)—

(aa)for “An applicant who” substitute “A qualifying body which”;

(bb)omit “, 11(4) or 12(5)”;

(vi)in paragraphs (4) and (6) for each reference to “applicant” substitute “qualifying body”;

(vii)for paragraph (7) substitute—

(7) Where a qualifying body indicates that it intends to provide a statement in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (1), the relevant planning authority must not consider the order proposal further until 21 days following the receipt of the statement and of the other documents so mentioned.; and

(viii)omit paragraph (8);

(n)regulations 18 and 19 shall not apply;

(o)for regulation 20 substitute—

Availability of copies of environmental statements

20.  A qualifying body which submits an environmental statement in connection with a order proposal, shall ensure that a reasonable number of copies of the statement are available at the address named in the notices published or posted pursuant to regulation 23(2) of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 or regulation 17 as the address at which such copies may be obtained.;

(p)In regulation 22—

(i)for paragraph (1) substitute—

(1) Where a relevant planning authority or independent examiner dealing with an order proposal in relation to which a qualifying body has submitted an environmental statement are of the opinion that the statement should contain additional information in order to be an environmental statement, the authority or the examiner, as the case may be, shall notify the qualifying body in writing accordingly, and the qualifying body shall provide that additional information; and such information provided by the qualifying body is referred to in these Regulations as “further information”.;

(ii)for sub-paragraph (3)(a) substitute—

(a)the name of the qualifying body and the name and address of the relevant planning authority;;

(iii)for sub-paragraph (3)(b) substitute—

(b)the date on which the order proposal was submitted;;

(iv)sub-paragraph (3)(c) shall not apply;

(v)in sub-paragraph (3)(f) for “planning permission or subsequent application” substitute “order proposal”;

(vi)in sub-paragraph (3)(k) for “, the Secretary of State or the inspector (as the case may be)” substitute “or independent examiner.”;

(vii)in paragraph (6) for “applicant or appellant” substitute “qualifying body”;

(viii)for paragraph (7), substitute—

(7) Where information is requested under paragraph (1) or any other information is provided—

(a)the relevant planning authority shall not consider the proposal further until 21 days following the receipt of the statement and of the other documents so mentioned;

(b)the independent examiner shall not make their report until 21 days following the receipt of the statement and of the other documents so mentioned.

(ix)in paragraph (8) for “applicant or appellant” substitute “qualifying body”; and

(x)for paragraph (10) substitute—

(10) The relevant planning authority or independent examiner may in writing require a qualifying body to produce such evidence as they may reasonably call for to verify any information in the environmental statement.;

(q)In regulation 23—

(i)for paragraph (1) substitute—

(1) Where particulars of an order proposal are placed on the register, the relevant planning authority shall take steps to secure that there is also placed on the register a copy of any relevant—;

(ii)in sub-paragraph (1)(e) omit “, 11(2) or 12(4)”; and

(iii)in paragraph (2) for “application is made for planning permission or subsequent consent” substitute “order proposal is submitted by a qualifying body”;

(r)in regulation 24—

(i)for “Where an EIA application is determined by a local planning authority,” substitute “As soon as possible after making a decision to make the neighbourhood development order under section 61E(4) of the Act or to refuse to make it under section 61E(8) of the Act,”; and

(ii)paragraphs (2) and (3) shall not apply.

(s)Parts 7 to 10 shall not apply; and

(t)in regulation 53—

(i)in paragraph (3) for each reference to “application” substitute “order proposal”;

(ii)in sub-paragraph (4)(b) for “before planning permission for the development is granted” substitute “before a decision is made under paragraph 12(4) of Schedule 4B to the Act that the draft order meets the basic conditions; and

(iii)in paragraph (6) for “on the determination of the application concerned” substitute “on a decision being made under paragraph 12(4) of Schedule 4B to the Act that the draft order meets the basic conditions”..

7.  In regulation 36(b) (appeal to Secretary of State without an environmental statement) for “paragraph (2) of this regulation” substitute “regulation 31”.

8.  In regulation 38 (further information and evidence respecting environmental statements) for “this regulation” substitute “this Part”.

9.  In regulation 43 (modification of provisions on prohibition of granting planning permission or subsequent consent)—

(a)for “regulation 3(1)” substitute “regulation 3”; and

(b)in paragraph (b) for “article 29(2)” substitute “article 29(3)”.

10.  In regulation 47(2) (modification of provisions on preparation, publicity and procedures on submission of environmental statements) for “(3A) Where” substitute “(4) Where”.

11.  In regulation 49(2)(b) and (c) (suspension of minerals development) for “paragraph (16)” substitute “paragraph (1)”.

12.  In regulation 64(5) delete “laid”.

13.  In paragraph 2(c)(v) of Schedule 3 (selection criteria for screening Schedule 2 development) before “areas designated by Member States” insert “areas classified or protected under Member States’ legislation”.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

The Localism Act 2011 provided a new statutory regime for neighbourhood planning. These Regulations make provision in relation to that new regime.

Regulation 2 requires the Secretary of State to review the operation and effect of these Regulations and publish a report before Parliament within five years after they come into force and within every five years after that. Following a review it will fall to the Secretary of State to consider whether the Regulations should remain as they are, or be revoked or be amended. A further instrument would be needed to revoke the Regulations or to amend them.

Part 2 of the Regulations makes provision in relation to the procedure for designating a neighbourhood area, including the content of the application and what the local planning authority must do to publicise such an application (regulations 5 and 6).

Part 3 of the Regulations makes provision in relation to the procedure for designating an organisation or body as a neighbourhood forum, which authorises them to act in relation to the related neighbourhood area. In particular, provision is made as to the content of an application, what the local planning authority must do to publicise an application and publicising any designation of a neighbourhood forum (regulations 8 to 12).

Part 4 of the Regulations makes provision in relation to additional prescribed conditions a community organisation must satisfy in order to be a community right to build organisation. Including allowing anyone from the area to be a member of the organisation and ensuring that such members have majority voting rights for the body and prescribing the way profits must be used and assets distributed on a winding up (regulation 13).

Part 5 of the Regulations makes provision in relation to procedure for making neighbourhood development plans. These are plans which the parish council or neighbourhood forum propose and following a referendum, the local planning authority makes. In particular, provision is made as to the consultation and publicity prior to submission of a proposal to a local planning authority, the content of a proposal, what the local planning authority must do to publicise a proposal and their decision on a proposal, and for publicising any neighbourhood development plan which is made. (regulations 14 to 20)

Part 6 of the Regulations makes provision in relation to neighbourhood development orders (and community right to build orders, which are a particular type of neighbourhood development order). These orders grant planning permission in the area, they are proposed by the parish council or neighbourhood forum and following a referendum, made by the local planning authority. In particular, provision is made as to the consultation and publicity prior to submission of a proposal to a local planning authority, the content of a proposal, what the local planning authority must do to publicise a proposal and their decision on a proposal, and for publicising any neighbourhood development order (or community right to build order) which is made. (regulations 21 to 27)

Part 7 of the Regulations makes provision in relation to the exclusion of enfranchisement rights in relation to particular properties or types of properties in an area covered by a community right to build order. Enfranchisement rights may not be exercised by tenants in such areas where the proposal for the community right to build order specified this is to be the case. Landlords of properties in the area to which the exclusion applies are required to endorse the face of the lease or tenancy with a notice as to the exclusion. (regulations 28 and 29)

Part 8 of the Regulations makes provision in relation to the revocation or modification of neighbourhood development orders (including community right to build orders) and neighbourhood development plans. In particular, provision is made for publicising any modifications or revocations made. (regulations 30 and 31)

Part 9 of the Regulations introduces Schedules 2 and 3, which make provision for compliance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive(35) and the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (“the EIA Directive”)(36). (regulations 32 and 33)

Schedule 1 sets out the two different lists of consultation bodies, paragraph 1 provides the list of consultees for neighbourhood development plans, and paragraph 2 provides the list of consultees for neighbourhood development orders and community right to build orders.

Schedule 2 makes provision in relation to the Habitats Directive. The Directive requires that any plan or project, likely to have a significant effect on a European site, must be subject to an appropriate assessment. To achieve this, paragraph 1 prescribes a basic condition that the making of a neighbourhood development plan is not likely to have a significant effect on a European site or a European offshore marine site. Paragraphs 2 to 5 of the Schedule amend the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 so as to apply its provisions to neighbourhood development orders and neighbourhood development plans. In particular paragraph 4 inserts new regulation 78A which provides that a neighbourhood development order may not grant planning permission for development which is likely to have a significant effect on a European site or a European offshore marine site.

Schedule 3 makes provision in relation to the EIA Directive. The Directive requires that EIA development must be subject to a development consent process. To enable this, Schedule 3 prescribes a basic condition that applies where development which is the subject of a proposal for a neighbourhood development order is of a type caught by the EIA Directive, and applies the relevant provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011(37) (“the EIA Regulations”) with appropriate modifications (regulation 33 and paragraphs 1 to 4 and 6 of Schedule 3). Paragraphs 5 and 7 to 13 of Schedule 3 correct errors in the EIA Regulations.

An impact assessment has been prepared in relation to these Regulations. The assessment has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament and can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website ( httip://www.communities.gov.uk ).

(1)

1990 c.8. Sections 61E to 61G, 61L and 61M and Schedules 4B and 4C were inserted by section 116 of, and Schedules 9, 10 and 11 to, the Localism Act 2011 (c.20). Section 71A was inserted by section 15 of the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 (c.34). See section 336(1) for definition of “prescribed”.

(2)

2004 c.5. Section 38A was inserted by section 116 of, and paragraph 7 of Schedule 9 to, the Localism Act 2011 (c.20).

(3)

The Secretary of State is so designated by S.I. 2008/301.

(4)

1972 c.68. Section 2(2) includes power to make certain provisions in relation to the European Economic Area by virtue of section 2(5) of the European Economic Area Act 1993 (c.51).

(5)

S.I. 2011/1824, as amended by Schedule 3 to these Regulations.

(8)

For the purposes of neighbourhood development orders, the definition of “qualifying body” is in section 61E(6) of the 1990 Act (inserted by paragraph 2 of the Localism Act 2011). A “community organisation” is to be regarded as a qualifying body (see paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act) (as inserted by Schedule 11 to the Localism Act 2011).

(9)

The definition of “community organisation” is in paragraph 3 of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act.

(10)

For the purposes of neighbourhood development plans the definition of “qualifying body” is in section 38A(12) of the 2004 Act (as inserted by paragraph 7 of the Localism Act 2011).

(11)

1971 c.80.

(12)

For the definition of “relevant body” see section 61G(2) of the 1990 Act (inserted by paragraph 2 of Schedule 9 to the Localism Act 2011 (c.20).

(13)

1992 c.14.

(14)

S.I. 2010/490. Regulation 102A is inserted by Schedule 2 to these regulations.

(15)

“Enfranchisement rights” are defined in paragraph 11 of Schedule 4C to the 1990 Act.

(16)

S.I. 2011/1824. Schedule 3 of these Regulations inserts regulation 29A.

(18)

See section 1 of the Coal Industry Act 1994 (c.21).

(19)

See section 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c.17).

(20)

See section 1 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c.16).

(21)

See section 1(1) of the Environment Act 1995 (c.25).

(22)

See section 32 of the National Heritage Act 1983 (c.47).

(23)

See section 1 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c.23).

(24)

2006 c.41.

(25)

1989 c.29. Section 6 was substituted by section 30 of the Utilities Act 2000 (c.27).

(26)

1986 c.44. Section 7 was amended sections 3(2), 76(1) and (3) of, and paragraphs 1 and 4 of Schedule 6 to, the Utilities Act 2000.

(27)

2000 c.38.

(28)

1980 c.66.

(29)

Schedule 4B was inserted by section 116 of, and Schedule 10 to, the Localism Act 2011 (c.20). Paragraph 8 of Schedule 4B applies to neighbourhood development plans by virtue of section 38A(3) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c.5) (Section 38A was inserted by paragraph 7 of Schedule 9 to the Localism Act 2011)

(30)

S.I. 2010/490, to which there are amendments not relevant to these regulations. “European site” is defined in regulations 3(1) and 8.

(31)

S.I. 2007/1842, to which there are amendments not relevant to these regulations. “European offshore marine site” is defined in regulation 15.

(32)

Section 38C was inserted by paragraph 7 of Schedule 9 to the Localism Act 2011.

(33)

Section 38A was inserted by paragraph 7 of Schedule 9 to the Localism Act 2011.

(34)

Section 61E of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 was inserted by paragraph 2 of Schedule 9 to the Localism Act 2011.

(35)

Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ No. L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7), last amended by Council Directive 2006/105/EC (OJ No. L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 368).

(36)

Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ No. L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40), as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC (OJ No. L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5) and Council Directive 2009/31/EC (OJ No. L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 114).