OPUN are working in collaboration with Maroon Planning and Shaping Communities under the Planning Your Neighbourhood banner. Aligned with specialist knowledge in neighbourhood planning, OPUN offers urban design and creative expertise to capture ideas about the built form, about creating new places and protecting existing places. We have written a letter to Parish and Town Councils in the East Midlands outlining our unique inclusive offer.
Locality in partnership with Royal Town Planning Institute, Planning Aid England, the Community Development Foundation, Urban Vision Enterprise, Eden Project and URS is opening a new programme of support and grants, with £9.5million funding available from 1 May. On the My Community Rights page there is an eligibility checker, and links to how to apply.
The Neighbourhood Planning programme will last for two years and groups will be able to apply for direct support of advice and support to meet your neighbourhoods needs. Or, a grant payment of up to £7,000 that can assist with start-up costs, training sessions, community engagement, required studies and other incidentials such as printing and mapping. OPUN can work in collaboration with you to offer support in any of these areas.
In Shireoaks OPUN recently helped in the recent Village Appraisal consultation as part of their neighbourhood planning process.
Please contact julie@opun.org.uk to assist with any questions on the above.
Support in the Community
As a charity OPUN can be completely independent to support the community planning processes. Whether you are placed in a local authority, a parish council or a community responding to a wider development, or wishing to plan your own place’s future, OPUN can offer bespoke advice and methods to support participation towards a desired outcome.
In Sneinton, Nottingham – OPUN worked with the Sneinton Alchemy group to develop a Neighbourhood Design Vision as the first step in determining the potential in their area and scope out how to retain and enhance it.
In Belper, OPUN assisted in the preparation of the Character Appraisal of the recently adopted Supplementary Planning Document that used a collaborative design-led approach to achieve community support for a mixed-use regeneration site in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.
Please contact Dharmista@opun.org.uk for more information.
Useful links on Neighbourhood Planning advice:
The CABE Archive holds a range of design-led methodologies that can assist in community and neighbourhood engagement. Following this link opens up a treasure trove of design support that OPUN has expertise in. Our Panel and Staff are skilled professionals who are trained in implementing these activities.
Planning Aid England have produced a Neighbourhood Planning Masterclass booklet which gives clear advice on the legislative background to this process.
The London Assembly has produced advice following research into ‘the role of neighbourhood plans in supporting local involvement in planning’ . Titled ‘Beyond Consultation’ it sets out seven recommendations. Although primarily focused on London, there is some relevance to those operating in other parts of the country.
