Issue - meetings

To consider the report on the Felsted Neighbourhood Plan.

The Chair brought Item 12 forward in proceedings for the benefit of the members of the public who were present.

Councillor Evans presented the report relating to Felsted’s Neighbourhood Plan. He said this was only the third neighbourhood plan in the District to come before Council although five more neighbourhood plans were in development. He added that neighbourhood plans protected communities from opportunistic development, whilst ensuring desired developments took place in the interest of the local community affected. He proposed making the Plan part of the statutory development plan for the District.

Councillor Gerard seconded the proposal and commended the hard work of the local team who had put the plan together. He said Newport had a Neighbourhood Plan but the challenge they faced was a lack of a three-year land supply. He urged Members to support the proposal.

Councillor Coote said help and guidance should be provided to smaller villages and parishes who would find it difficult to facilitate the neighbourhood planning process.

Councillor Evans said financial support was available for communities who wished to make neighbourhood plans but lacked the technical expertise and needed assistance with the process.

Councillors Criscione, Dean, Hargreaves and Foley congratulated Felsted’s Neighbourhood Plan team and expressed support for the proposal. Councillor Hargreaves said neighbourhood plans were consistent with the adopted Local Plan (2005) and therefore did carry material weight.

RESOLVED that the Felsted Neighbourhood Plan be formally ‘made’ part of the statutory development plan for the District.