What is Neighbourhood Planning?
Neighbourhood planning allows local communities to have their own planning
policies in a neighbourhood plan which reflects their priorities. It was introduced
nationally in 2011 through the Localism Act. A Neighbourhood Plan is:
- A document that sets out planning policies for the neighbourhood plan area. These
are used to help decide whether to approve planning applications. - A part of the wider development plan for the borough, sitting alongside the Local
Plan for the whole borough prepared by Tower Hamlets Council, and the London
Plan prepared by the Mayor of London. - A tool to help ensure the community gets the right types of development, in the
right place.
Benefits
- It enables the local community to retain more Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL),
the money collected from developers, to spend on local projects. 25% of the levy
collected from development within the Neighbourhood Plan Area should be spent in
the plan area, compared with 15% in areas without a neighbourhood plan. - It gives the residents and businesses of Bow a stronger voice over planning issues.
- It enables us to protect the things we value the most.
The Story of the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Forum
Neighbourhood Plans are developed by local people through Neighbourhood
Forums, the organisations required in London to oversee the making of
neighbourhood plans. In February 2016 a steering committee was established in
Bow after an initial public meeting. After several more public meetings, the committee
submitted separate applications for the Forum and the Plan Area, and both of these
were formally agreed (‘designated’) by Tower Hamlets Council in 2017.
A great deal of engagement work was done with the local community over what
people liked, disliked and thought could be improved in the neighbourhood plan
area, which covers the wards of Bow West and the part of Bow East to the west of
the A12. The evidence gathered informed the content of the neighbourhood plan,
which has 6 themes: the local economy, connectivity, open space, heritage, housing
and community infrastructure,
After two rounds of public consultation and an independent examination, the
independent examiner’s report of May 2022 found our draft plan met the legal
requirements. The plan was then voted on in a local referendum in October 2022,
with 70% (1,743 people) voting in support. The plan was formally adopted by the
Council in November 2022.
In law, Neighbourhood Forums have a life of five years. The five-year life of the
Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Forum ended in August 2022, and we submitted
a new application to the Council that month for a further five-year term.
The change in the Council’s administration in 2022 led to a delay in the Forum’s
application being considered. It was then rejected by the Mayor in cabinet in June
2023 against Council officer’s recommendations. The main reason given concerned
the Forum: ‘ it has not demonstrated that,…… its membership is drawn from different
sections of the community within the neighbourhood planning area.’
The Forum continued our work in monitoring the neighbourhood plan, whilst seeking
to widen our support and further diversify our committee membership. A fresh
application for designation was submitted in April 2024. After further delays, in
November the Mayor delegated the decision to the Corporate Director of Housing
and Regeneration, who, accepting officers’ recommendations, approved our
application in December 2024.
What is the Neighbourhood Forum’s work Today?
The Forum Committee reviewed its composition early in 2025 and recruited new
members, including a new Chair.
The Neighbourhood Forum Committee monitors planning applications across the
plan area. It considers those which are significant in terms of size, nature or
conformity with neighbourhood and other planning policies. We comment on
applications to the Council where appropriate, and publicise applications that are
likely to be of local interest or concern.
We also seek to promote the objectives of the plan for sustainable development.
The Forum monitors the contributions (Community Infrastructure Levy – CIL) made
by developers in the neighbourhood plan area to ensure these are spent to mitigate
the impact of development.
The Forum has successfully prevented poor quality developments in Roman Road
properties, and supported much needed development, such as a 6 th form extension
to Central Foundation Girls’ School.
Current activities in 2025 include:
- ensuring the local community are involved in the design of the replacement
community centre on the Caxton Hall site in Caxton Grove, and - publicising the comprehensive redevelopment proposals for Bow Wharf by
the Canal and River Trust. - Following up with the Council on developer contributions (CIL) for 2024-25.
- Further strengthening the Forum Committee and increasing membership of
the Forum. - Updating our website and increasing our social media presence.