The Government is expected to publish its Localism Bill on Thursday this week and has released details of the new approach to neighbourhood plans today. This will present a significant opportunity for civic societies although the changes are not without risks. Neighbourhood plans will be prepared by Town or Parish Councils or “neighbourhood forums” in places without parishes.
Up to a point. I've no doubt local assemblies are the prime candidates for this role, but the role will stretch the capacity of local Assemblies, because of the complexity, quantity and potential controversy involved in developing planning policies.
Here's an interesting map in the Lewisham character study published as part of the established process for developing planning policies, in which their consultants divide the borough up into 'places' according to
the range of ways in which people relate to their environment from residential areas through to commercial or administrative zones ... defining areas which are felt to have a reasonably cohesive character
Inevitably these 'places' are not the same as current wards.
I'm not sure that they could provide a better idea of what neighbourhoods should be for Localism Bill planning policy development, but they must have some relevance ...
