What we do
As residents, we work together as a Neighbourhood to support the delivery of the vision by promoting and endorsing policies that bring a high quality of life for all residents, in an environment where new residents are welcomed, people feel safe and have a high sense of pride in both place and community. The Neighbourhood Forum also work with influential stakeholders to ensure Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath has a vibrant local economy.
The role of the forum was to consult and represent the community regarding the formation of the neighbourhood plan. Our role in the community continues as guardians of the Neighbourhood Plan, a representative voice regarding planning matters of local interest, coordinating local applications for Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding and in facilitating community actions.
Consult with and represent the community
Our work to achieve our charitable purposes will continue to be informed by you, the KDBH community. We highly value, and will maintain a strong focus on, our role to inform, engage, debate and reflect community views on the future of our villages.
The best way to keep up to date with consultations is to sign up to our newsletter, and to follow us on social media.
Guardians of the Neighbourhood Plan
The KDBH Neighbourhood Plan 2018-2033 will always be central to Forum activities in helping to achieve sustainable development in KDBH.
Our role is to ensure that the Neighbourhood Plan is referred to and considered by stakeholders.
You can read more about the Neighbourhood Plan here.
Monitor and respond to Planning Applications
The Neighbourhood Forum’s focus is on tracking and reporting the outcome of planning applications to monitor and evidence whether Neighbourhood Plan policies are being referenced appropriately and applied effectively to all new development in Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath.
The Neighbourhood Forum’s capacity and remit is limited in this aspect given the need also to resource its other activities. Our focus is therefore on the larger or more complex planning applications, or those with potential Area-wide significance. The Neighbourhood Forum does, however, work in conjunction with, and provide advisory support on request to, The Knowle Society and Dorridge and District Residents Associations who deal with the majority of planning applications. Where appropriate, the Neighbourhood Forum and resident associations may choose to combine their work on a particular planning application.
Whenever possible, the Neighbourhood Forum’s Planning Advisor will provide planning policy guidance on an identified planning application. The Forum holds quarterly meetings with Solihull Council to review how the Neighbourhood Plan is being used in determining
planning decisions.
Coordinate NCIL Applications
The Forum is committed to maintaining regular, pro-active community engagement, and takes a lead role on Neighbourhood Community Levy (NCIL) funding and other aspects of community engagement on behalf of our area.
Although Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) owns the process and final decisions around NCIL, they are statutorily bound to listen to, and reflect, the views of this Forum (evidenced as representative of the community) in determining allocation of funds. The Forum holds regular meetings with SMBC, helps in communicating and engaging with local groups and in advising bidders on alignment to the Neighbourhood Plan seeks community input. The Forum considers bidding directly on projects of Area wide benefit, seeks match funding from SMBC (where a project links into SMBC’s own objectives) and helps identify priority community actions/projects to assist SMBC assessment of individual bids.
Facilitate Community Actions
At the time of preparing the Neighbourhood Plan, important issues were raised by residents. These Actions are kept under review and updated to reflect emerging issues. Our role is largely to signpost residents to any initiatives being undertaken in the community with the aim of helping to maximise community awareness and engagement. Our primary role is helping to promote a coordinated approach across KDBH, as well as to increase awareness of other potential sources providing opportunities to deliver community benefit.
How do we help people
- We campaign for the long-term strategic planning for KDBH
- We lobby stakeholders on key issues
- We dedicate time to reviewing the neighbourhood plan to ensure its effectiveness and delivery
- We monitor development in the area to ensure the Neighbourhood Plan is duly regarded
- We work with stakeholders including but not limited to Solihull Council, Knowle Society, Visit Knowle, Dorridge & District Residents Association