Issue - meetings

Neighbourhood Planning gives local people the opportunity to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. BCP Council as the Local Planning Authority has a legal duty to support and advise town/parish councils and neighbourhood forums through the process to prepare neighbourhood plans, following statutory legislation, regulations and procedure.

The Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council is preparing a Neighbourhood Plan, which is at an advanced stage having been through independent examination. The examiner’s report (dated 12 July 2022) has concluded that subject to modifications, it meets basic conditions and legal requirements, and can now proceed to referendum.

Cabinet is asked to accept the findings of the examiner including his recommended modifications; approve the Local Planning Authority’s decision statement; and approve the modified Neighbourhood Plan for referendum on 15 December 2022.

If at referendum there is a majority vote (50% plus 1) in favour of the neighbourhood plan, then the neighbourhood plan will come back to Council to become a ‘Made’ plan for the Highcliffe & Walkford Neighbourhood area and form part of the statutory development plan. It will be used alongside the Christchurch Local Plan to determine planning applications in the Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council area.   

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

(a)         Accept the findings of the independent examiner’s report (Appendix 1) and recommendation that the area for referendum will the neighbourhood plan area. (Appendix 2);

(b)          Approve the Local Planning Authority’s Decision Statement and list of modifications (Appendix 3);

(c)          Approve the Highcliffe & Walkford Neighbourhood Plan (2020-2028), as modified (Appendix 4);

(d)          Recommend that the modified Highcliffe & Walkford Neighbourhood Plan proceeds to referendum on 15 December 2022; and

(e)          Agree that authority be delegated to the Interim Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration to agree any further minor changes to the Neighbourhood Plan before it goes to the referendum.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

To meet the statutory obligations including provisions set out in the from the Localism Act 2011, the Town & Country Planning Act 1990, the Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017, and the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 (as amended).

The Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that neighbourhood planning gives local people the opportunity to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. BCP Council as the Local Planning Authority has a legal duty to support and advise town/parish councils and neighbourhood forums through the process to prepare neighbourhood plans, following statutory legislation, regulations and procedure.

In relation to this Cabinet was informed that the Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council is preparing a Neighbourhood Plan, which is at an advanced stage having been through independent examination, and that the examiner’s report (dated 12 July 2022) has concluded that subject to modifications, it meets basic conditions and legal requirements, and can now proceed to referendum. 

Cabinet was asked to accept the findings of the examiner including his recommended modifications; approve the Local Planning Authority’s decision statement; and approve the modified Neighbourhood Plan for referendum on 15 December 2022.

The Chair advised that if at referendum there is a majority vote (50% plus 1) in favour of the neighbourhood plan, then the neighbourhood plan will come back to Council to become a ‘Made’ plan for the Highcliffe & Walkford Neighbourhood area and it was expected to go through Council in January 2023. It would then form part of the statutory development plan, and used alongside the Christchurch Local Plan to determine planning applications in the Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council area. 

A non-Cabinet Councillor speaking as lead from Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council advised of the work and potential impacts from the proposed neighbourhood plan and thanked all those who had been involved with its development.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

a.              Accept the findings of the independent examiner’s report (Appendix 1) and recommendation that the area for referendum will the neighbourhood plan area. (Appendix 2);

b.              Approve the Local Planning Authority’s Decision Statement and list of modifications (Appendix 3);

c.               Approve the Highcliffe & Walkford Neighbourhood Plan (2020-2028), as modified (Appendix 4 – to follow);

d.              Recommend that the modified Highcliffe & Walkford Neighbourhood Plan proceeds to referendum on 15 December 2022; and

e.               Agree that authority be delegated to the Interim Director of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development, Growth and Regeneration to agree any further minor changes to the Neighbourhood Plan before it goes to the referendum.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration