Decision details

Subject to passing the Community Referendum in September 2018 this report will seek to make and bring into force the Westfield Neighbourhood Development Plan.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to make and bring into force the Westfield Neighbourhood Development Plan as part of the Development Plan for the Westfield Neighbourhood Area, in accordance with Section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016).

The Localism Act 2011 has reformed the planning system to give local people new rights to shape the development of the communities in which they live.

The Act provides for a new type of community-led initiative known as a Neighbourhood Development Plan which sets out the policies on the development and use of land in a parish or ‘Neighbourhood Area’.

The Council has a duty to assist communities in the preparation of Neighbourhood Development Plans and orders and to take a Plan through a process of examination and referendum and to bring the Neighbourhood Plan into force. This duty includes making the plan as soon as is reasonably practicable but in any event within 8 weeks after the referendum approving the plan has taken place.

In line with the Neighbourhood Planning Protocol (version dated 9th September 2015) the decision to make the Plan is for the Council’s Cabinet.

No other options were considered given that the Council has a duty to make the Plan and bring it into force.