Todmorden Neighbourhood Plan Frequently Asked Questions.
Q. What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
A. “Neighbourhood planning 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 choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead. Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools 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” – Taken from the Gov.uk Website.
The Todmorden Neighbourhood Plan is a document created by Todmorden Town Council which Calderdale MBC must use in their planning decision process if voted in.
Q. Who made the Todmorden Neighbourhood Plan?
A. The Todmorden Neighbourhood Plan has been developed by Todmorden Town Council, in collaboration with residents of Todmorden and Neighbourhood Planning experts, following public consultations, public meetings and open days.
Q. When were the public consultations and meetings held?
A. Todmorden Town Council has done extensive public meetings and consultations on the plan over the last few years. This includes;-
- Consultations from 21/9/23 to 2/11/23
- Online public consultation from 12/2/24 to 25/3/24
- Open days at the Town Hall 21/9/23 and 23/9/23
- Public meetings on 9/2/23, 16/2/23, 23/2/23, 2/3/23, 9/3/23 and the 20/4/23
- The Neighbourhood Plan has also been discussed at the Development Committee on over 10 occasions and at Full Council.
Q. Did Calderdale MBC write the Neighbourhood Plan?
A. No, the Todmorden Town Council created the Todmorden Neighbourhood Plan.
Q. Is the Todmorden Neighbourhood Plan part of the Todmorden Town Deal?
A. No. Although the Neighbourhood Plan might reference things that sound similar to Todmorden Town Deal plans, they are separate projects from separate organisations. The Town Deal is a project that will fund specific developments in Todmorden. The Neighbourhood Plan is a technical planning document that helps shape how all new development will look within our town.
Q. Something mentioned in the plan has changed, will this affect anything?
A. The short answer is no, it won’t.
A neighbourhood plan is typically reviewed every 2 to 5 years, but this can vary depending on local regulations and community needs, so this is something the Town Council will be monitoring and reviewing regularly. The review process allows the plan to stay relevant and adapt to changes, such as new developments, economic conditions, or shifts in community priorities. During the review, updates or amendments might be made to ensure the plan continues to reflect the evolving needs and desires of the local area. Some neighbourhood plans may also review their plan more frequently if there are major changes in planning policies or if the community feels it’s necessary.
Q. What happens if the Todmorden Neighbourhood isn’t adopted?
A. Todmorden Town Council is a statutory consultee in local planning decisions, but ultimately Calderdale MBC maintain the statutory function of the Planning Authority, and they make the final decision on planning applications.
Calderdale’s planning team use the Calderdale Council’s Local Plan to guide the decision process, which is their broad overview of what Calderdale, as a whole, should look like.
The Neighbourhood Plan would give Todmorden a greater influence in local planning decisions. Calderdale MBC would be required to use the Plan as a framework in the decision-making process involving local planning applications, resulting in decisions that are much more specific to Todmorden’s needs.
To summarise, if the Neighbourhood Plan isn’t adopted, Calderdale MBC will continue to make planning decisions using their Local Plan only.
Q. Where can I view the documents?
A. You can read printed copies of the Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents in Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Halifax Libraries. You can also view them, by appointment only, in the Todmorden Town Council office. (It’s by appointment only as we are a working office and just need to ensure that a member of staff will be on hand to let you in to the office and help answer any questions)
If you prefer to view the documents online, you can also view them from the comfort of your own home, all the links are on our website here.
Q. Can the Neighbourhood Plan be summarised?
A. We understand that the Neighbourhood Plan is a detailed document, and some people may find it time-consuming to read in full. While we appreciate that a summary would be helpful, it is not feasible to produce one at this stage.
However, the most important sections to focus on are the “Aims and Objectives” (Section 2.7) and “Policies” (Section 4) in the Neighbourhood Plan document. The policies are the heart of the plan and will be used by Calderdale MBC’s planning officers to help make decisions on future planning applications.
The full document must be voted on and every effort has been made to ensure it is written in accessible language while meeting the requirements of a technical planning document.
Q. I have a question that isn’t covered here, how can I get it answered?
A. Please email [email protected] with your question and we will do our best to answer them as soon as possible.