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NDP News 10

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SOMERFORD KEYNES NDP NEWS                                                                                    Issue 10

YOU DID IT!

Hopefully, you will know by now that our Neighbourhood Development Plan went to referendum on 6 May and it was approved by an overwhelming majority. 217 voted in favour of the Plan and 20 against – that’s 91.56% supporting. Two other neighbourhood plan referenda were held on the same day and ours had the greatest percentage of support. So, that’s a very big “thank you” to all of you who turned out to vote and complete the final stage in this long haul.

SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

For the authors and, ultimately, the Parish Council, it means that we have listened to the community and reflected those views in the Plan. It says what kind of village you want both now and in the future within the framework of the CDC Local Plan and national planning policies.

Parish Councils are entitled to be consulted on all planning proposals in their area. That position has been strengthened considerably by the existence of the NDP. It must be taken into account on every planning decision in our area, although that doesn’t mean that it has to be followed by the Local Planning Authority – CDC. However, it does mean that the local voice must be heard.

WHAT CHANGES?

Now that the Plan is formally approved, there are a number of consequences:

  • When the Parish Council is considering its responses to any planning application, it now has a framework on which to base its opinion. The Plan will be its first reference point in deciding whether to support or oppose any application.
  • People submitting planning applications will have a clear idea of potential local reaction to their proposals.
  • If we have concerns about any new planning proposal, we will be able to look at the Policies in the Plan and see if they are being followed.
  • For most approved planning applications, CDC will impose a charge on the developer called the Community Infrastructure Levy. The share available to Parish Councils with a plan is 25%, compared with 10% if there is no plan. That’s money that can be used for local improvements.
  • There are a number of statements in the Plan called Community Proposals. They carry less weight than Policies, but they are developments that the Parish Council would like to take forward for the benefit of our villages.

WHY DID WE DO IT?

When we started down this long road (although we didn’t realise it would be quite this long!) we knew that the NDP had limited power in the planning process. It has to be consulted on planning matters in our area, but it doesn’t have to be obeyed. However, it does give us, the local people, a further means to influence what happens in our villages. We thought that was worth the effort and, thankfully, so did you.

Our final thanks must go to Ron Munroe and Sarah Powell who worked tirelessly through the process, both as past Parish Councillors and who continued their support until its successful completion.

With best wishes and thanks

The Parish Council and the NDP team