A recently published report procured by MHCLG has found that the majority of neighbourhood plans go further than local plans in allocating housing sites.
Perhaps surprisingly for developers almost three quarters of the 84 neighbourhood plans reviewed either matched or exceeded their housing site allocations as set out in their local objectively assessed need requirement.
Delivery on these sites was less certain however the study concludes that there is evidence that neighbourhood planning "can lead to improved attitudes towards local development" given sites allocated in a neighbourhood plan are more accepted by the community in which they are located.
With the consultation on the White Paper having closed yesterday and little detail on how the last vestige of Localism will be deployed in the world of 'Growth/Renewal/Protect' local plans, publication of this report will give developers, landowners and local authorities plenty of food for thought on future engagement with communities and how that will shape development.
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