Neighbourhood Forum Application: Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Forum

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council received an application for the designation of the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Forum.

In accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended), the application includes

• the name of the proposed Forum;
• a copy of its written constitution;
• the name and map of the Neighbourhood Area to which the application relates;
• contact details for the Forum;
• and a statement setting out how the proposed Forum meets the conditions set out in section 61F(5) of the Town And Country Planning Act 1990.

Before the Council considers the application, it is required to publish the application to allow people who live, work or carry out a business in the proposed Neighbourhood Area with an opportunity to comment on the proposal.

It should be noted that this application relates to the designation of the Neighbourhood Forum and comments should be on the proposed designation of the Forum. An application for the Neighbourhood Area is being held simultaneously, and comments on that should be made to that separate consultation. 

Comments will be taken into account before the Borough Council makes a decision on the application.

If a designation is made no other organisation or body may be designated for the neighbourhood area identified until that designation expires (after five years from the date of adoption) or is withdrawn.

Neighbourhood Planning

Neighbourhood planning was introduced by the Localism Act (2011). It is a way for communities to decide the future of the places where they live and work through the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders. Only qualifying 'bodies' (Parish Councils or Neighbourhood Forums) can prepare Neighbourhood Plan and Orders. There are no Parishes within Epsom and Ewell, therefore communities that wish to prepare these documents are required to make an application to the Local Planning Authority to establish themselves as a Neighbourhood Forum and a separate application to establish the Neighbourhood Area they will cover.

There is currently no designated Neighbourhood Forums or Neighbourhood Areas within the Borough. Under these circumstances, an application needs to be made to the Council to decide whether to designate a Neighbourhood Forum and an application needs to be made on the Neighbourhood Area where the Neighbourhood Forum will cover.

The regulatory process for Neighbourhood Planning is set out in The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

The consultation has ended. Thank you for your comments- these are now being considered and a decision will be published in due course.