NEW – COMPLETE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN SURVEY HERE
Witchford Neighbourhood Plan Survey
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
The Localism Act 2011 gives villages such as ours the opportunity to have a greater say in the future development of their area. This is done through a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)
A NDP gives the Witchford community a new way of influencing the planning decisions that affect us locally. Once in force the Neighbourhood Plan carries real legal weight and it must be taken in to account when proposals are considered for development in the neighbourhood.
| A Neighbourhood Plan Can…. | A Neighbourhood Plan Cannot….. |
| Decide on what type and design of development should happen in the neighbourhood | Propose less development than in the East Cambridgeshire Local Plan |
| Identify the most suitable sites for development | Prevent any development from taking place in the area |
| Promote more development than is set out in the East Cambridgeshire Local Plan | Be in conflict with local, national or EU policies |
| Should identify a collective vision and key local priorities for the sustainable development of the area | Be prepared without community input, support, consultation and ultimately a local referendum |
| Influence decisions that are beyond its remit e.g. bus routes and timetables / GP surgery provision |
What procedures need to be followed in producing a Neighbourhood Plan?
There are a number of key steps that should be followed in preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The first stage is to designate the Neighbourhood Area and this has already been undertaken (our Neighbourhood Area is the whole Parish of Witchford). The next steps are to develop our objectives, priorities and vision for the future of the town. This will include ongoing public consultation with the Witchford community. Following that a draft plan will be prepared and consulted upon. The Plan will then be finalised and submitted to East Cambridgeshire District Council with a further period of consultation. Environmental and sustainability requirements should also be taken into account. The Plan will then be subject to independent examination, followed by a community referendum giving all Witchford voters the opportunity to confirm their support for the plan. The plan is then confirmed by East Cambridgeshire District Council.
Please check the Consultations page of this website Neighbourhood Plan Consultations and the Documents page Neighbourhood Plan Documents for more information.
There is a Quick Guide to Neighbourhood Planning at this website My Communty Step-by-Step Guide
Latest News for the Neighbourhood Plan
Have your say on the Neighbourhood Plan at the Village Fete Sunday 23rd July.
The Neighbourhood Plan steering group will have a stall at the Village Fete on the playing field in Bedwell Hey Lane on Sunday 23rd July. We want to hear your views on the draft Vision and Objectives for the Plan.
Draft Vision and Objectives for the Neighbourhood Plan
Click here for a list of the draft Vision and Objectives for the Neighbourhood Plan.
These have been developed by the Steering Group and are based on the village questionnaire held in November 2016. Please let us have your comments via or come along to the next Neighbourhood Plan meetings on 19th July and 23rd August.