Issue - meetings

The Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan was subject to independent examination in the Autumn of 2023. The examiner’s report received on 15 December 2023 concluded that subject to modifications, the neighbourhood plan meets basic and legal conditions. Cabinet on 22 May 2024 agreed the examiner’s modifications, together with the council’s decision statement and approved the modified plan for referendum.

This report has been prepared in anticipation of a positive referendum result. The referendum is scheduled for 18 July within the Sandbanks Peninsula area and the votes are due to be counted on 19 July. The results of the referendum will be reported to Council.

The referendum question asked:

‘Do you want BCP Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Sandbanks Peninsula to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’ 

If the result of the referendum is positive, the council must now bring the plan into force so that it forms part of the statutory development plan. It will be used alongside the Local Plan to determine planning applications in the Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood area.

(The Chairman agreed that this item be added to the agenda as an urgent item in view of the need to avoid delaying implementation of the plan.)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Millie Earl, presented the report and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

The recommendation was seconded by Councillor Andy Martin.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED: That Council:-

a)    Note the results of the Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan referendum held on 18 July 2024 (Declaration of Result of Poll - Appendix 1 and Ballot Box Verification Record – Appendix 2);

b)    Subject to a positive referendum result, agree to make the Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan (Appendix 3) and Appendices (Appendix 4), that was subject to referendum on 18 July 2024, part of BCP Council’s statutory development plan so that it can be used alongside the Local Plan to determine planning applications in the Sandbanks Peninsula neighbourhood area; and

c)    Approve the Local Planning Authority’s Decision Statement (Appendix 5) and delegate publication and circulation of the Decision Statement and Neighbourhood Plan to the Director of Planning and Transport in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places.

Voting: Nem.con.

Councillor J Clements declared an interest, recused herself and left the room for the duration of the item, returning at 9.47pm.