FAQs
Are there other villages facing similar challenges? Can we connect with them to share strategies or coordinate efforts against unwanted development?
Yes. There are about 90 areas in Harborough which could make an NDP. Currently there are about 30 "made" plans. HDC periodically organises briefing meetings for those making plans or reviewing them. At the meeting in Summer 2024 there were representatives of about 35 groups in various stages of drafting their first plan or reviewing an older one.
Can the neighbourhood plan help preserve our village's character? Can it put limits on building styles, shopfronts, or other things that make our village unique?
Yes. The NDP has policies which seek to protect designated and non-designated Heritage Assets. The NDP has a companion document, the Village Design Guide and Codes. This specifies in detail standards for design and style of building.
Can the neighbourhood plan truly address housing issues? Can we control the number of new homes, the types of houses built, or ensure some are affordable for locals?
Yes. While we must make provision for a minimum number specified by Harborough DC, we can influence the location and types of dwellings built, and the provision of affordable housing, and the types of tenures for those houses, including preference for people with direct links to Houghton.
Can the plan prioritise building on brownfield sites? Are there abandoned or underutilised areas within the village that could be redeveloped before considering greenfield land?
The plan can directly influence the location of developments. In the case of Houghton there is little "brownfield" land, so this is not a major issue.
Can the neighbourhood plan challenge the government's housing targets if they're unrealistic for our rural area? Are there legal avenues for doing so?
No. This is left to the Planning Authorities and their Local Plans. In our case this is Harborough DC.
Do we have to have more houses in Houghton?
Yes. There is a national housing shortage, and the national government and national planning rules determine the minimum number of dwellings each Local Authority needs to provide. Harborough then allocate the minimum number we have to have. (See also How many new houses will Houghton have in the next 15 years?)
Does the neighbourhood plan cover environmental protection? Can we use it to designate new green spaces, protect existing habitats, or encourage renewable energy?
Yes. The draft NDP contains a number of policies aimed at environmental protection and measures to mitigate the effect of climate change.
How can I get involved as a regular resident? Are there volunteer opportunities, surveys, or open meetings I can participate in?
Yes. As part of the NDP process there are several opportunities for consulting with, and encouraging involvement of, the local community. The major one of these is the Public Consultation lasting 6 weeks. For our NDP this will be from 2nd November to 16th December 2024. All dwellings in the community will receive a flyer before this period starts, giving the timescales and the opportunities for involvement.
How do you determine where to build in Houghton?
Usually new housing is built by developers on a commercial basis. They collaborate with landowners, then apply for planning permission from the local planning authority, in our case Harborough DC. Harborough has to follow national government policy to deliver their defined minimum housing numbers. Provided HDC has applications for more houses than government policy demands, then it can choose to permit development only on its preferred sites. It defines this in its "Local Plan". Individual parishes can use their own "Neighbourhood Development Plan" to specify preferred development sites in its own area to HDC.
How long does it take to develop the neighbourhood plan?
The quickest is about 2 years, but often it takes considerably longer to assemble all the required evidence and follow the legal requirements for the plan. Our review is likely to have taken about 4 years.