SDNPA Launches New Neighbourhood Planning Consultancy Service

December 6, 2017

“The support provided by SDNPA to the East Meon Neighbourhood Plan was crucial in our success. They gave clear insight into the process and incisive advice on how to address some of our more difficult decisions, while supporting the objectives of our NDP.

“At no time did we feel pressured into accepting the default planning policies. Their support in managing the examiners comments enabled East Meon to retain its character and meet the objectives of our plan.”
George Thompson East Meon Neighbourhood Plan steering group

Over the past seven years our small team of planners and community development specialists have supported more than 50 Neighbourhood Planning Groups as well as Village Design Statements, Parish Plans and Local Landscape Character Assessments across the National Park. Along the way they’ve gained a wealth of experience at taking planning out into our communities.

Now we want to share these skills beyond our borders with a new consultancy service offering neighbourhood and community planning support. Our plan is to offer a bespoke service helping parish councils and local authorities to deliver plans that are sensitive to landscape and village or town character and firmly guided by the needs and aspirations of the community – in particular, in rural communities in other National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).

For the South Downs National Park Authority, the service will provide an income stream supporting work back here in the South Downs.
Find out more at www.southdowns.gov.uk/npconsultancy