Neighbourhood Plan – What’s in it for us?
 

INTRODUCTION

Neighbourhood Plans have been introduced by Government to encourage local

communities to have a much greater say on community planning. By having a Neighbourhood Plan, the future development of Eight Ash Green will be in our own hands, rather than with third parties such as Developers, Colchester Borough, Essex County Council or Central Government.
Eight Ash Green already has a Parish Plan (2011) and Village Design Statement (2013. These were put in place following a detailed and lengthy consultation with villagers, and completed by village volunteers. Both were adopted by Colchester Borough Council as supplementary planning guidance. They provide an aspirational plan for the future of our village, but they are not intended to specify the extent and location of future development.
 

THE 2017-2033 BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN
Colchester Borough Council is working on the Borough Local Plan for 2017-2033, which entails finding sites for some 16,000 new homes. Several local land-owners see Eight Ash Green as ideally situated for large-scale development, and have made representations in the initial Call for development Sites. Unless tightly controlled, we could see 600 to 1000 new houses being built by 2033, which would completely change the character of the Village.
By having a Neighbourhood Plan, local people are able to influence the extent of development, where that development takes place, and what other infrastructure and additional facilities that should be provided. However, “No Development” is not an option. All villages will be asked to take some development to provide for their local needs, typically 20 – 50 homes between 2017 and 2033, according to the size of the village.


WHAT IS THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AND WHY BOTHER?
A Neighbourhood Plan has to be based on the proven evidence-based need for residential development and a decision by the village on where it should be located. The Draft Neighbourhood Plan must be reviewed by a Government Planning Inspector, and adopted by the Village in a referendum. The Approved Neighbourhood Plan then becomes a statutory part of Colchester Borough Council’s planning policy.
The key points include:


WHAT IF WE DO NOT HAVE A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?
For communities without a Neighbourhood Plan there is already a presumption in favour of the developer to build where they can show a need and or a reason to develop. Without a Neighbourhood Plan, development can be imposed upon the Village without taking into account the views of residents.


WHAT IS HAPPENING CURRENTLY?
For more information please take a look at the Neighbourhood Plan website here

 

John Allcock