Neighbourhood Plan

Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan

What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

Neighbourhood Plans are a fundamentally new tool to give communities more control over the type, location, size, pace and design of development in their areas. They were introduced under the Localism Act 2011 as part of a suite of new community rights.

How does a Neighbourhood Plan get adopted?

Once drafted a Neighbourhood Plan must be passed by an external examiner, after which the plan can be put to a local referendum for approval by the voting electorate in the parish. If that referendum has a majority positive vote it will (after a 6 week pause) become adopted

How long will it take to get a Neighbourhood Plan in place?

The process started in August 2014 and it may take up to 2 years to complete. However we need your involvement at this early stage to give guidance on areas which you feel the plan ought to focus.

Why should Whitchurch have a Neighbourhood Plan?

Without a Neighbourhood Plan, Whitchurch will leave itself wide open to any and all development applications. Without a Plan, Whitchurch will be powerless to defend itself against any unwanted development.

We expect the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan to have an intensely local focus. It can be as ambitious or as modest as the community decides. So please take the time to attend YOUR community focus meeting on:

It’s your village, so have your say in its future!

“A Neighbourhood Plan has teeth”

A major housing application had been refused by the local planning authority and the application went to appeal. Crucially the scheme was not in line with an adopted Neighbourhood Plan. Communities Minister, Eric Pickles, rejected the appeal because of a conflict with the adopted Neighbourhood Plan and said:

“ … neighbourhood plans once made part of the development plan, should be upheld as an effective means to shape and direct development in the neighbourhood planning area to ensure that the best located sites are developed”

Nick Boles, Under-Secretary of state for Communities and Local Government also said:

“ …for the first time ever in the planning system a neighbourhood document has equal statuary force alongside a local plan”

Please let us know if you would like to help and/or be kept informed by contacting:

WHITCHURCH VILLAGE COUNCIL, COMMUNITY CENTRE OFFICE, BRISTOL ROAD WHITCHURCH BRISTOL BS14 0PT
TEL: 01275 839873
Email to:–

info@whitchurchparishcouncil.co.uk


Latest News for the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan

Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Development Plan 2015/2042

The Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Development Plan was formally approved by BANES on 6th December 2017 and is now a part of the Council’s Development Plan, which is in accordance with section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Reasons for making this decision: 96.5% of those voting in the Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan …

Results of Poll

Referendum on the adoption of Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan Just a quick note to update you on the Referendum held last Thurs 16th November. Thank you to all those who voted, please see the Declaration of Result below, with a resounding Yes vote. The next step is the Joint Spatial Plan, please come along to …

Notice of Poll

Whitchurch Village Referendum on the adoption of Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan A refendum will be held on Thursday 16 November 2017 between 7am and 10pm to decide on the question below: “Do you want Bath & North East Somerset Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Whitchurch Village to help decide planning applications in the …

Notice of Referendum

Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan Referendum on the adoption of Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan   1. A referendum will be held on Thursday 16 November 2017 to decide on the question below: ‘Do you want Bath & North East Somerset Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Whitchurch Village to help it decide planning applications in …

Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan Information Statement

A referendum relating to the adoption of Whitchurch Village Neighbourhood Plan will be held on Thursday 16 November 2016. The question which will be asked in the referendum is: ‘Do you want Bath & North East Somerset Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Whitchurch Village to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood …

Neighbourhood Planning Documents 2014-2017

Document 1 Document 2

The Draft Neighbourhood Plan

Following the first round of consultation, the Draft Neighbourhood Plan has now been verified as complete by B&NES Council and is available to download. B&NES Council will now start a six week formal consultation from the 19th of May 2017 until the 30th of June 2017. Any additional comments will be passed to an appointed …