Last week we discussed using neighbourhood plans to deliver community infrastructure through enabling development in Benson. This week we turn to Blacon, Cheshire, who are utilising a different approach: Neighbourhood Development Orders (NDOs).
What is a Neighbourhood Development Order?
An NDO grants planning permission for particular types of development in a specified area. As with neighbourhood planning, Locality grant funding is available for NDOs.
Why have Blacon chosen to pursue a Neighbourhood Development Order?
As part of a Neighbourhood Plan ONH is preparing for the Blacon Neighbourhood Alliance, a need for a range of community facilities has been identified and it was agreed that a Neighbourhood Development Order would be used to make provision for these to come forward; de-risking the site to unlock funding through providing a planning approval for development.
Blacon is a suburb on the outskirts of Chester and although it has a range of institutional facilities including schools and a medical centre it lacks facilities for local clubs, groups and community functions.
The NDO will include two projects, a sports hub and a community hub located within 400m of each other. The sports hub will provide facilities for the local football club to Football Association standards, and a boxing gym for the local boxing club to Boxing England standards which will make the scheme eligible for funding. Extensive consultation has been carried out with the community to identify other users and their needs. Â The facilities will need to be designed to be flexible, allowing activities to be programmed in a way that maximises the use of the spaces.
How is ONH supporting the Blacon NDO?
ONH are carrying out a feasibility study for both projects using their in-house architectural, planning and development skills. The study will be used to develop and test the brief, identify technical and statutory constraints, and look at options for locating the projects on the sites.
Our approach recognises funds will be limited. In considering the subsequent design and delivery of the projects a design approach based on the use of simple, robust industrial structures is proposed This will provide low - cost flexible volumes with the capacity for phasing and extension.

Working within these constraints can result in a more interesting project, with the client and community taking a more active role in the design and development of the schemes after the NDO is made. This approach will reinforce the sense of community ownership and involvement.
When is an NDO the right path for a project?
ONH can assess your project and let you know which planning route is most suitable - contact us for more details.
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