Neighbourhood Plans - 100 referendums

The Neighbourhood Plan process has been running a few years now and the Dept. for Communities and Local Government celebrates the milestone of 100 referendums in England.

I thought it would be interesting to reflect on the "Scores on the Doors" paying particular attention to Sussex.  There are several steps to creating a Neighbourhood Plan, starting with designating an area.  We did this back in 2013 and you can see the map on our website.

 

I've copied the following map from the document talking about the 100 referendums.  It shows the authorities that have the most "made" Neighbourhood Plans. "made" means that they are in force, alongside the district's Local Plan.  Of the top 5, Arun is top (with 14) by a long way and Mid Sussex is doing fairly well (with 4) too.

As far as I know, none of the Wealden area plans have gone to referendum or have been "made".  A bit of quick Googling shows that about half-a-dozen Wealden communities are somewhere in the process ranging from Hellingly, who have just finished consulting on their designated area to Maresfield, who in the words of November's edition of The Fairwarp Echo...

"... have been working on a Neighbourhood Development Plan for the Parish, and have consulted, and have consulted widely on many of the issues over the last two or three years. We are expecting that a final draft will be presented for a six week final consultation in the Parish (and with outside consultees too) within the next month or two. The Plan will include some important policies for our villages which, when the Plan has been examined and approved in a parish-wide referendum, will become part of the statutory planning framework for Maresfield. Key amongst these policies will be those on housing including where in Maresfield the 50 houses should be built."

Maresfield were advised by Maroon, who assisted Uckfield with our consultation event on the 7th of March.

Richard (former Chairman) and Alec Munro of Maroon on March 7th.





Of course, if you consider the thousands of communities there must be in England,  100 isn't that big a number.  The statistics in the document show how many communities are somewhere in the process:

What struck me, reading the 100 referendums document, is that the whole process depends on volunteers. Our group is a little thin at the moment and more hands are really needed.

I am really intrigued by the contrast between Arun and other Sussex districts and I wonder what they are doing right?

The 100 referendums document is here - BEWARE that the links in it are broken so avoid touching active areas because your browser will ponder for a bit before going to a dead page.

Wealden Local Plan Issues and Recommendations September 2015 - Exhibition

This is all rather big and complicated but the Neighbourhood Plan will eventually have to sit alongside it so it is a good idea to have your say.

You can find all the resources here on the Wealden web site

I'm not going through everything. I'm just going to summarize answers to questions I asked at the exhibition.  BEWARE that it is entirely possible that I have mangled answers.

Note: I am adding information I have acquired after the exhibition.
Blue items are further info from Wealden
Orange items are my own reading.

Need for a Plan

Answer (27 Oct): If Wealden doesn't create an acceptable plan within the next couple of years, Central Government will impose one.

What the options etc. mean

(27 Oct)
Issue - that is simple enough it just indicates what we are talking about (e.g. landscape)

Option
Question: What do the numbered options mean?
Answer: They represent everything that has to be considered by law. They are assessed in the Sustainability Assessment (SA) against the objectives listed in the SA.

Preferred option for testing
Question: What does this mean?
Answer: This the option(s) that will be taken forward to the next stage.  The SA shows which have been chosen.

Sustainable Development (p21)

Glossary says: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

(27 Oct) I asked for  a more precise definition.  Apparently Wealden haven't really gone beyond this. The phrase comes from the Bruntland report. It is possible to find out online what the general meaning is.  The meaning embraces:

• close to public transport
• level of services
• green spaces
• improving public transport.

Housing Market (p31, 8.8)

Question: We seem to be willing to step up and offer more than our fair share of housing if neighbouring areas can't/won't make their share. Why?

Answer  (27 Oct): SHMA (Strategic Housing Market Assessment) => Our housing need from demographic and economic figures.  We have a legal duty to cooperate with our neighbours. However they must prove that they cannot meet their housing need.

Ashdown Forest (p36, 8.32)

Question: Why would Wealden need/want an option that does not seek to protect Ashdown Forest?
Answer  (27 Oct) : Need to consider the possibility while testing but not considered reasonable at the moment.

New Settlement and Large Urban Extension (p43, Fig 4)

Question: What are the numbers for the settlements near Uckfield.
Answer  (27 Oct) : Please see SA.

8 Nov: The SA Part 1, Section 4.6.4 (page 90) says:
Isfield – 5,000 dwellings
West of A22, Uckfield – 4,000 dwellings
North west of A22 – 5,000 dwellings
Maresfield – 5,000 dwellings.

South Wealden Housing Option (p51, Fig 5)

Answer: Preferred option - protects Ashdown Forest.

Multi Centre Housing Option - Towns (p54, Table 7)

Question: What does the 920 against Uckfield mean?
Answer  (27 Oct) : This will be considered if the need to protect Ashdown Forest goes away.
Uckfield will get 920 more houses on top of Ridgewood - NOT CERTAIN - QUESTION WITH WEALDEN.

Question (6 Nov):I want to recheck an answer in case I misunderstood.  Multi Centre Housing Option - Towns (p54, Table 7).  There is a figure of 920 for “Number of additional dwellings (Including Outstanding Core Strategy Growth”).  My understanding is that the 920 is ON TOP of the approximately 1,000 earmarked for the Ridgewood Farm development. Is that correct?
Answer: In regards to your original questions and question 3 in particular regarding the multi centre housing Option, the 920 would be in addition to the 1,000 allocated to Uckfield already. This is because the multi centre housing Option considers housing growth in the District if the issues with the Ashdown Forest did not exist. In that scenario Uckfield could accommodate more housing. We had to include it within the document as although it is not a reasonable option at present, it could be a suggested approach if the Ashdown Forest issues did not exist. The Preferred Option for Testing as you will see does not adopt this approach and does not seek to allocate any more housing in Uckfield above the 1,000 dwellings.

Development Boundary (p90)

Question: It says "incorporation where appropriate of intervening greenfield land." Does this mean the green space would be built on?
Answer  (27 Oct) : No. It means that development comes under the development rules rather than the tougher countryside rules.

Town and Village Centres - Uckfield (p135)

Question (6 Nov): I am looking at the Preferred Option for Testing 13 - Uckfield Town Centre.  It is talking about the "Town Centre Boundary".  Is this the same as the "Town Centre area" shown on Map 28 – Uckfield Town Centre?
Answer (6 Nov): In terms of the “Town Centre Boundary” and the “Town Centre Area” terminology, they do indeed refer to the same thing and it is just a difference in the terminology.

Landscape (p221)

8 Nov: They refer to The Wealden Landscape and Settlement Character Assessment (November 2014)

Dog Gym (p313)

Question: What is it?
Answer (27 Oct) : An outside area with some simple obstacles for exercising dogs.

Consultation Portal

Following up from query at Exhibition
Question (6 Nov): The consultation portal says “Please read the ‘Guidance Notes for Respondents’ in the ‘Supporting Documents’ tab below before making any comments.”
However I cannot see a document of this name in the Supporting Documents
Recheck portal in about a week.

Shoreham - Uckfield Pays its Respects

I love it when the air shows are on in the summer. We get aircraft of all sorts passing our way going to or from the different events. There was no reason to expect that the 22nd of August, 2015, would be different to any other summer Saturday.

Then the news starting filtering through on Twitter. Something had happened. It was possible that a couple of people had died.  Knowing social media's tendency to exaggerate, I did a quick fact check. Several sources, notably BBC Sussex and AirLive.net confirmed that a Hawker Hunter had crashed. Suddenly my feeds were full of images of fire and smoke.

As the hours and days went by, the news got progressively worse. Late on Sunday afternoon a rather forlorn trickle of aircraft passed over. In the end it was established that 11 people died and many were injured.

The people of Shoreham commemorated the victims of this appalling tragedy by placing flowers on Shoreham's old toll bridge.  Soon it was announced that a one minute silence would be held. In Uckfield, people were soon asking questions - Would the maroon be fired? Should people gather in the town?

James Anderson, local councillor and shopkeeper, stepped into the breach and organised the minute's silence. And so more than 100 of us found ourselves just outside Hartfields in the middle of the town waiting for the first maroon. 

People gathering outside Hartfields.

I moved round taking photos as unobtrusively as possible. I was touched to hear a mother explaining to her small children why it was important to stay silent after 'the big bang'.  As the Deputy Mayor, Duncan Bennet gave a poignant explanation of what was happening, a white butterfly flew just above the group of councillors.

Uckfield Town Councillors.

As the first maroon sounded, James Anderson stepped forward and mounted the wreath on the town sign pole.

Wreath provided by staff at Miss Bloomsbury.

Even the clatter of cutlery at the outside tables stopped and some of the diners stood up. For one long minute, we reflected on what had happened and honoured everyone who had been involved with the Shoreham tragedy. When the second maroon sounded it was time for the town to get back to its usual bustling self.

Crowds dispersing.

Uckfield's Elections

This spring, on the 7th of May 2015 Uckfield, like the rest of the UK, is having elections. Uckfield is currently in the Wealden constituency, which nearly always falls to the Conservatives. Barring a major upset, we can reasonably expect to see the Conservative candidate, Nus Gahni, elected on Thursday.  In a slightly surreal twist, the real choice was made in the primary back on the 6th of December 2013. In a golf club. With 400 voters.

This got me wondering if parliamentary elections had always been so predictable. So I started burrowing round to find out what had happened in the past.

Wealden: 1983 - ongoing

Wealden has only existed as a constituency since 1983.  Since then it has had two MPs, both Conservative. The only real change is that the boundary became a lot more wiggly in the 2010 changes.

East Grinstead: 1885 - 1983

Before 1983, Uckfield was part of the East Grinstead constituency. In this time it had eight MPs, seven conservative and one Liberal (1906 to 1910).  To my surprise, from 1955 to 1965, there was a woman MP, Evelyn Emmet.

East Sussex: 1832 - 1885

Before 1885, Constituencies were much larger and had two MPs each. Uckfield was part of East Sussex.  The table listing the MPs over that time shows a little more blue than yellow/orange.

Pas de Change?

So, early on, there was some variety but since 1910 the constituency containing Uckfield has returned only Conservative MPs.  You might be forgiven for thinking nothing has changed in that time - but you would be wrong. Unlike the women of the Edwardian era, I can vote. However, with such predictable results, you might wonder why I bother. 

Here are my reasons:

• First, I find myself remembering the women who died so I could put my cross in a box. 
• I think that much of the Lib Dem vote will get redistributed in an unpredictable way, so all bets are off
• In post election negotiations, the percentage across the UK may well matter.
• I hope the constituency becomes more marginal. That way, they will stop assuming they can walk all over us without consequences.
• Finally, new ways of communicating with candidates, enabled by social media, are emerging. Many of the hopefuls (notably some standing for local elections) are engaged in genuine two-way conversations, which will help everyone understand each other better.  While the parliamentary seat is stuck in the same old groove, I'm hoping that the Uckfield Spring is a sign of a new way of doing politics.

Why do I volunteer for the Uckfield Neighbourhood Plan?

Last Sunday evening I was looking over the top of my laptop screen, half-watching a favourite TV programme. Half-watching, because I was busy scheduling tweets for two local voluntary groups. Why was I bothering? How did I get tangled up in things like the Uckfield Neighbourhood Plan?

Before going any further I had better explain what the neighbourhood plan is.  The web site says ...

Your help is needed to draw up a Neighbourhood Plan for Uckfield that establishes what the priorities are for green spaces, transport improvements and recreational and community facilities.

The Neighbourhood plan is not a Town, District or County Council initiative or project. It is a plan to be created and owned by residents. If you get involved, you have the opportunity to shape the future of the area you live in.

In my mind, this means creating a plan for future development that helps us avoid nasty surprises.

Holy Cross, Uckfield

My involvement started at the Clubs and societies event described in the Uckfield News.  I was curious about the information lying on a table and had a look. Among the papers, there was a questionnaire, which I was filling in when an acquaintance suggested that I might like to join the group creating the plan.

I stammered and made excuses. “I’m already too busy. I probably can’t get to those meetings anyway. I don’t know anything about planning.”

“That’s OK" he said "There are different themes that need to be looked into.”

Hmm. Environment? Any of you who have been anywhere near my writing will know that I enjoy nature, interesting buildings etc.

“Maybe Environment. I’m up for a little light bunny hugging!”

And so it began.  I went to a meeting where a small group plotted out areas important for nature on a draft map.  I was able to bring useful knowledge to this meeting thanks to the power of social media. At this point I want to thank “HT” and “S” for sharing their knowledge with me. Also, thank you to everyone who commented on the map, after I posted it on Facebook and Twitter. 

Of course this is only a tiny part of the picture. There is also housing, transport and much else to be considered. We need more people to help with the plan so we can do our town justice.  I’ve decided to do some work with social media.  I’ve been posting information and questions to Twitter and Facebook for a couple of weeks now.

I’m familiar with using Twitter but being an administrator on a Facebook page is new to me. There is a different rhythm to it, which I am learning as I go.  I’ve been amazed at just how generous people are with their knowledge of the town.  Some individuals are sniffy about social media but, for me, Facebook and Twitter are just tools that put you in contact with people. These people bring with them fantastic experience and knowledge that can help in all sorts of ways. 

So to come back to my original question - Why do I volunteer for the Uckfield Neighbourhood Plan?

My answers are:

• If we set up a plan based on local knowledge, maybe we can help the town to avoid nasty surprises.
• By working with the group and the people who contribute knowledge through social media etc. I can learn more about the town that I live in.
• I can put my analytical/research skills and love of nature to practical use.
• I can network with some amazing people.
• Through working in the group, I can pick up some new skills and polish some existing ones.

So it’s not all noble. I fully expect to get something back. But that’s volunteering – it’s a two-way street.  There are all sorts of things that need to be done – so please look out for ways to get involved.

Uckfield - A Practical Town

Once again they are dusting off masterplans and talking about “improving” the town. Uckfield isn’t broken but we could very easily break it. There is talk of “revitalising” a town because it is “tired” in places. I’m not saying we shouldn’t change anything but I am saying we shouldn’t rush to use a sledgehammer to crack the “tiredness” nut.  I am using this piece to set out what I think about the essential character of the town, the things I value and what I think needs fixing.

This is just off the top of my head and my own opinion.  I’m sure others with have more and better thoughts.

Essential character

Historically Uckfield is a market town where people from miles around came to sell and buy produce and services. The old postcard below shows congestion in the market area (behind the fence), which is now occupied by Waitrose. The horses and carts have been replaced by cars and the market stalls by supermarkets. There is still a railway that comes into town, even if it is a shadow of its former self. Uckfield is now also a commuter town. Many commuters travel to London, Brighton and Gatwick by train, bus and car.

Horses and carts lined up at the market in Uckfield

Uckfield still attracts people in from the villages who use the shops and attend events such as the carnival. Like most British towns it’s a hodge-podge of different types of building, all squeezed in here and there as space allowed. In my opinion the jewel in the crown is the Picture House cinema, a historic building, thriving business and cultural centre all rolled into one. 

So Uckfield is a bit messy but practical and attractive like a busy working mum who makes time to play with her kids then puts a bit of lippy on and has an evening out. The people are diverse in the truest meaning of the word – different opinions, different skills and different ways of living.  In short, a classic British compromise with a bit of muddle and a bit of make do and mend.

I’ve drifted in and out from the mid-80s, having first lived in the London suburbs, gone to Uni in Sheffield and then dipping in and out depending on when contracts took me away.  Nowadays the wonders of virtual working enable me to work at home and the relatively local offices in London, Leatherhead and Reading. Electronic communications also help me keep in contact with local people and join in volunteering activities etc.

Space and shops

Uckfield's Big Day Out on Luxford Field

The first thing I notice about Uckfield is the sense of space. We are not crammed into a concrete jungle. In the centre we have Luxford field, a large, simple space that can be used for gatherings and games of all sorts.  From nearly everywhere in the town you can pause, look round and see a view. It is also heaving with Natural Jewels. The people of the town  have a fantastic relationship with nature. Kind people put out food for birds or nurse hedgehogs and keen naturalists put their knowledge into action to care for our natural assets.



A Charity shop's window reflecting commercial outlets on the other side of the road.

There is a terrifically diverse range of shops and other businesses.  I’m going to single out Uckfield Electrics as a traditional style electrical shop, who hire local guys to deliver on Manor Park without the sort of fuss and bother we encounter with deliveries from outside.  Then shops like Fross and PC Home and Office (Print Clearly) who have innovative “clicks and bricks” business models that combine a traditional high-street presence with a thriving web-based business.  A whole range of independents respond quickly to local conditions whether it is dressing their windows blue and yellow for the festival to changing their opening hours to fit round the disruption caused by the roadworks.

A practical, talented town

This is a town that rolls its sleeves up a deals with things. Stuff happens, we react. Often we react loudly and let officialdom know we are not happy. We are Sussex folk that "wunt be druv”. Having let off steam we start working together to fix the problem.  They move the doctors’ surgery to the bypass, far away from a bus – a local residents’ association sets up a car service. Flooded? Just watch River Uck And Surrounding Areas Flood Group leap to the rescue with their 4x4s and their desire to help their fellow citizens.

Uckfield is bursting with talent. Artists, Writers, Musicians and so much more. As a town we get to enjoy seeing and hearing them at the Uckfield Festival, Art Trail and so many other occasions.

The town has an exceptional electronic life.  Facebook is full of lively groups and I defy anyone to find a better hyperlocal news source than the Uckfield News. There seem to be increasing numbers of people working in virtual teams – i.e. they work at their home in Uckfield and communicate with their team via the internet. My belief is that these 21st Century methods are giving us a way to return to a version of the type of community we had when people shared information round the parish pump and would work in their cottages.

What needs fixing – my opinion

1. The assumption that every problem can be solved by building.
2. Failure to synchronise development proposals with each other and inputs from neighbourhood plans.
3. Transport. People travel to and from and within this town:
• Public transport – has been suffering death a thousand cuts
• Parking and congestion – soon, the population will grow by about 20%, this is going to get worse and is not easy to fix.
4. Flooding.
5. Information flow – Official communications need to match and join with the brilliant local sources mentioned above. We all need to help individuals who are not being reached to keep up. 
6. Officialdom needs to be able to access the massive amount of talent and expertise we have in this town. They need to listen and act on this expertise.
7. Use of IT – Can we support virtual working, “Clicks and Bricks” business models, better access for everyone with better broadband, education, support etc?
8. Holes in the shopping experience:
• For me, it’s office smart size 18 clothing. If am obliged to get in my car and go elsewhere for that, I’ll usually load up with other things too.
• For a working parent, there is difficulty shopping in the high street due to opening hours. Maybe one evening a week late shopping would help?

The Tour of England – Uckfield awaits

By Saturday the 13th of September, 2014, Uckfield had been eagerly awaiting the Tour of Britain, for some months.  The bunting was up and shops had dressed windows and decorated railings in glorious reds, whites and blues. These visiting colours echoed the town’s mellow red brick, creamy paint and September’s cobalt sky.

Bicycle decorating the railings, just outside Pipedreams.

I hadn’t taken much notice of it and just happened to book my hair appointment for twelve thirty, just before the race was due to go through the town. I was waiting for my colour to be mixed when spectators started to arrive. I sidled out – just to have a quick look at the gathering crowd – and the hairdressers and assistants joined me.

To start with, there was just a straggle of people. The children were more interested in chasing each other than any sporting event. The crowd gave a pair of ordinary cyclists a slightly ironic cheer. I recognised a marshal, Emma, who was keeping a watchful eye on the crowds from the island in the middle of Church Street.

As I waited, I idly examined the cluster of buildings around the crossroads. The Cinque Ports is directly opposite the hairdressers. The plastic bunting flapping round the edge of the roof seemed to emphasise its age. Across narrow Hempstead Road, Barclays and the pizza shop are housed in a pile of fidgety Victorian details. Looking up the High Street, just beyond the people jostling for a view, I can see a spectator who has taken advantage of a high window above the estate agent’s elegant façade.

Spare bicycles, glimpsed between the crowds.

Official cars and motorcycles started to whip through.  Police went by in flashes of acid yellow followed by hot orange motorcycles. As the crowd and excitement built, every vehicle was applauded. Cars with spare bicycles came and went.  Smart phones held at arm’s length snapped everything to do with the race.  I scampered up the flower shop’s steps, not caring that I looked ridiculous in my hairdressers robe. Others stood on ladders and chairs from their shops and fathers put excited children on their shoulders.

As the big moment approached, the High Street was closed and the crowd, who had waited so patiently by the bank, surged forward. The yellows and oranges flashed by quicker and quicker, sounding horns and sirens as they went. By now the anticipation was almost unbearable. Heads snapped to attention and cameras were raised for every movement. The sound of a helicopter overhead could only mean one thing. The rotors seemed to say, “They’re coming, they’re coming.” With glimpses of helmets and Lycra seen between bobbing heads, Wiggo and the others were here - and then, they were gone.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *



Photos and videos of the race

• Uckfield FM: Tour of Britain Highlights - with pictures by local photographers, a map showing route and an interesting graph of the profile
• Uckfield News: Tour of Britain races through Uckfield - which captures the delight of townspeople
• Gavin Rainbow's video (main pack goes through at just after 2 mins)
• OneDad3Girls photo - one picture and it's a good one
• If you are a member of the Memories of Uckfield Facebook group, you should be able to see, and add to, the Stage 7 of Tour of Britain through Uckfield and surrounding areas album.