Agenda item

(Emma Arklay, Planning Officer, Northampton Borough Council)

Emma Arklay, Planning Officer, NBC, presented the report.

The following points were noted:

·         Collaborative: Planning, Community Engagement, NIFF

·         Focused on Northampton – Related Development Area

·         Methodology

-  Review census data – changes in population structure

-  Review planning policy

-  Review planning applications

-  Community engagement

-  GIS Analysis

·              Demography – changes in faith groups – doubling of Muslim groups, Hindu

·         Growth in RC, Pentecostal

·         Fall in COE

·         Christian is largest religious group

·              All faith communities engaging with communities – not just on a religious basis

·         Synagogue – main space for 150 people.

·         Hindu community – currently travel at the moment

·         Meeting needs – possible solutions

-  Hired facilities

-  Extending existing facilities

-  Conversions or change of use

-  New developments in the strategic ‘Urban Extensions’ (but most needs are in the centre of town)

-  New developments elsewhere

·         Recommendations

-  Supplementary Planning Document – help & advice

-  Joint working

-  Directory of facilities

-  Record vacant D1

-  Training on engaging with the planning system

·         Only skimmed the surface

·         Will let forum know when it will be published

Question/Comment (Anjona) – How much understanding do you have of the history of faith groups and planning process, and the discriminations faced, both in the 1970s and more recently?  The Planning Committee comments about “offensive prayer notice”; need “faith spaces” in SUEs; need education among decision-makers; some politicians using inappropriate language.

Response (Emma) – we are aware that there has been a history and it is important that this is collaborative research. The research is led by Planning – good first step to have evidence.

Comment/Question (Anjona) – chronology needed. What about the Supplementary Planning Guidance? From equality perspective, need to have regard for humanist or atheist approach.

Comment (Christopher) – concerned about Anjona’s term “political hatred”. He would hate to feel that there are councillors who have that sort of political hatred.

Comment (Jenny) – if comments were made that were offensive in Planning Committee, we should have officers to confirm that.

Comment (Nick) – where did the demographic data come from? The latest census. However, the administrative boundaries changed, making it hard to compare. Can make the slides available to David.

Comment (Nick) – Somali community needs premises. The Council Planning department is not good at engaging with minority communities.

Question (John) – is the facility for men only?

Answer (Nick) – he has only seen men. He does not understand the question.

Comment (John) – vast difference within groups (Christian).

Response (Emma) – the study is looking at both worship facilities and community needs.

Comment (Joe) – methodology – did not capture all the data.

Comment (Ivor) – the findings are familiar, and the study is good.

Comment (Anjona) – important to share this information with other parts of the Council; death and bereavement, housing.

Response (Emma) – yes, she is aware of this need. Joe was invited with this in mind. There will be staff learning sessions throughout NBC.

Comment (Christopher) – it is important to learn lessons from the past and find a better way of dealing with them.

Comment (John) – general fear or phobia by white population.

Comment (Jenny) – councillors need to have an understanding. One would expect them to have an understanding of policies.

Comment (Anjona) – because Planning Committee is adversarial it can be an awful atmosphere.

Question (John) – what next? Is it a case of faith groups saying that they want a piece of land?

Response (Emma) – does not know; early stage of Development Plan. What will happen is policy guidance (Oadby and Wigston).

Comment (Alaa) – sometimes a small space precludes women to get involved at times.