Evidence gathering for Neighbourhood Plans
Analytically Driven works with local communities to help provide the evidence they need to inform their Neighbourhood Plan. Some of the issues local communities face in gathering evidence are discussed here. Dr Driver's work with Headcorn Parish Council on gathering evidence to support their Neighbourhood Plan has also been used as a Case Study by Planning Aid to help other group understand how to undertake surveys to underpin their Neighbourhood Plans.  

What are Neighbourhood Plans? Neighbourhood Plans are an important part of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and were introduced as part of the Localism Act (2011). They are designed to provide a powerful set of tools to allow local people to shape development in their communities. 

What evidence is needed? Like all policy, Neighbourhood Plans need to be supported by evidence. However, there are no set requirements for the type of evidence a Neighbourhood Plan should use, meaning it is important to consider which options will provide the most useful information. Examples of what may be needed are:

• Surveys of the local community and local businesses can provide an extremely helpful guide for policy development, including housing and infrastructure needs.
• A formal Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) may be needed to support some Neighbourhood Plans. Therefore, all communities need to demonstrate how they have considered reasonable alternatives throughout the policy formation process.

• An assessment of connectivity can be helpful for understanding sustainability and can be particularly important for rural areas.  An example of the sort of issues  to consider can be found in the sustainability assessment Analytically Driven produced for Headcorn. This assessment was used to produce an objectively assessed housing need for Headcorn Parish. 

​