Neighbourhood Plans in Suffolk Coastal ~ Three Referenda and a Public Consultation
Neighbourhood Plans are increasingly important to planning decisions. Not only do they allow communities a greater degree of control over the nature and location of future developments, but the existence of a Neighbourhood Plan also triggers an increased level of Community Infrastructure Levy (or CIL) paid to the town or parish council once building starts, increasing the money that your local council has available to spend on the things that your town or village needs in order to support the increased development.
The procedure for producing a Neighbourhood Plan is fairly complex and requires a lot of work to be done up-front, followed by a formal public consultation, then an independent examination, and finally a public referendum. The later stages of this process are administered by Suffolk Coastal District Council. In order to be approved, the Neigbourhood Plan needs to receive the support of more than 50% of the community, so every vote counts.
Three towns and villages in Suffolk Coastal are now approaching Referendum Day for their Neighbourhood Plan, with the referendum scheduled for 9th February in each case:
- Framlingham http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/neighbourhood-planning/neighbourhood-areas/framlingham-neighbourhood-area/
- Great Bealings http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/neighbourhood-planning/neighbourhood-areas/great-bealings-neighbourhood-area/
A fourth village, Melton, has also reached a critical stage in the approval process for their Neighbourhood Plan, announcing the start of their public consultation phase (comments must be received by Wednesday 8th March): http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/neighbourhood-planning/neighbourhood-areas/melton-neighbourhood-area/
If you live in one of these towns or villages, make sure that you read the proposed plans, and have your say.