Neighbourhood Planning

Neighbourhood Plans

A neighbourhood plan is a plan introduced in the Localism Act. It will be the result of a community working together to decide how their local area should develop and grow in the future.

A Neighbourhood Plan gives local people a chance to create a planning document that guides and shapes development in their local area, and to influence what facilities are provided in the area as a result. The plans are about local issues rather than strategic planning issues, but must take account of national planning rules and be in general conformity with the existing adopted planning framework for North Warwickshire

Adopted Plans

These plans have been formally adopted by NWBC  and  now form part of the Development Plan for North Warwickshire

Referendum results

None
 

Plans that are going to referendum

None

Plans examined / being examined by an appointed Inspector

Polesworth Neighbourhood Plan was out for Regulation 16 Consultation until 5th September 2024. It has now been sent to the Examiner along with all consultation responses received. The Examiner appointed is Andrew Freeman

Consultations by NWBC on Neighbourhood Plans (Regulation 16)

None

Consultations by Parish Councils on Neighbourhood Plans

None

Applications for Area Designation

None

Approved Applications for Neighbourhood Area Designation

Atherstone Town Council

Corley Parish Council

Polesworth Parish Council

Curdworth Parish Council

There are several stages in the production of a Neighbourhood Plan and they are set out below

Parish/Town Council process for Neighbourhood Plan and North Warwickshire Borough Councils Role

Step 1: process is started by the Parish/Town Council

NWBC  publicise and agree the application to establish the boundary of the area to be designated (an exception to this is applications submitted by parish councils for designation of the whole of its area as a neighbourhood area. The local planning authority has to designate the neighbourhood area in such circumstances, so there are no publicity requirements)

Step 2: early community involvement, gather information and evidence, engage and consult with those living/working in the area

Step 3: draft plan is prepared for consultation of at least 6 weeks by the Parish/Town Council before formally submitting the Plan to NWBC

NWBC has a duty to provide advice and assistance

*Step 4: Plan submitted to Council who will publicise it and invite comments for a minimum period of 6 weeks. Any comments will be sent to the independent Examiner

Step 5: NWBC arrange and pay for independent examination. The independent examiner may recommend that the plan proceed to the referendum stage (for example, it meets all the legal requirements) or may suggest that modifications are needed to the plan before it can proceed to the referendum. Or they may recommend that it does not proceed to the referendum, if it does not meet the relevant legal requirements. In addition, they may recommend that the referendum area include individuals beyond the boundary of the neighbourhood area.

*Step 6: Plan goes for a local referendum. NWBC will arrange and fund the local referendum. The rules for the referendum are set out in the Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations. Anybody registered to vote in the area covered by your Neighbourhood Plan will be entitled to vote. A simple majority of votes (over 50 per cent of those voting) in favour of your Neighbourhood Plan is sufficient for it to succeed.

*Step 7: Plan adopted by Council

Step 8: Adopted Plan gets reviewed

*NWBC will also take a Board Report to Members seeking approval to go out for Consultation at Step 4, Referendum at Step 6 and also seeking approval to  adopt the plan at Step 7

NWBC have produced a Guide to Neighbourhood Planning

The following websites contain further information which may be of use

For further information please email  planningpolicy@northwarks.gov.uk