Decision details

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking approval of the recommendations made in the Examiner’s report (attached at Appendix 1 to the report) on the Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Plan (WBNHP).  The report also sought approval of the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to referendum.

The report provided background information regarding neighbourhood planning, including:

·                 how the preparation of the WBNHP had been led by Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group on behalf of Wickham Bishops Parish Council;

·                 production of a Neighbourhood Plan must follow a regulatory process and this was summarised in the report;

·                 examination of the Neighbourhood Plan and consideration whether the Plan met Basic Conditions;

·                 the role of the Local Planning Authority;

·                 consideration of the examiner’s report (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) and proposed modifications and Officer’s recommendation for each of these were set out in the draft decision notice (Appendix 2 to the report).

The Leader of the Council presented the report and proposed that the recommendations set out in the report be agreed.  This proposal was duly seconded.

Councillor K W Jarvis disclosed a non-pecuniary interest in this item of business as he was a Wickham Bishops Parish Councillor.

A number of Members commented on the report and the huge amount of work undertaken by the Parish Council.

In response to questions raised, Members were advised that there was a time limit for when a Neighbourhood Plan had to go to referendum.  It was not within the remit of the Council to delay approval of the Plan.

The Chairman put the recommendations set out in the report and this was duly agreed by assent.

RESOLVED (by assent)

(i)              that the Examiner’s modifications be agreed and that subject to these modifications the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions and other legislative requirements;

(ii)            that the draft Decision Statement attached as Appendix 2 to the report be approved to be published on the Council’s website;

(iii)          that the Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Plan be agreed as modified and proceeds to a local referendum based on the boundary of Wickham Bishops Neighbourhood Area as recommended by the Examiner.