The Neighbourhood Plan Consultation (Regulation 14) is now closed
Thank you to everyone who has responded to the consultation.
We have received responses from both residents and consultees (organisations with an interest in or responsibility for our parish). We are now collating and analysing all the comments to feed in to revisions of the plan.
Our intention is to have the next draft ready for submission to NHDC under Regulation 15 by the end of March 2018. This then leads to the formal examination and consultation conducted by NHDC (Regulation 16).
Please note that replies received after the deadline cannot be considered.
Progress and Next Steps
The Neighbourhood Plan will describe our shared vision of what is important to us and how we want the Parish to develop over the next 13 years. The plan must have appropriate regard to national policy and conform to the strategic elements of the local plan. It must be compatible with EU obligations and the planning consultant will advise us on a Strategic Environmental Assessment. Needless to say it must also be based on up to date and robust evidence.
We are now at the pre-submission stage, known as Regulation 14, which commenced with a statutory 6 week consultation period – see above. During this time we consulted with all residents and also with the District Council, neighbouring parishes and other interested parties.
Completed
- Stage 1 –
- Define the Neighbourhood Plan area
- Determine if the parishioners would like a Neighbourhood Plan for Preston
- Stage 2 –
- Survey – consult residents about their wishes for the parish
- Obtain grants towards costs of survey and publicity
- Analyse and present survey results
- Gather other information
- Define the objectives of the Neighbourhood Plan
- Engage volunteers for specific projects
- Draft Plan based on objectives
In Progress – now to March 2018
- Stage 3 –
- Consult residents on Draft Objectives
- Review and refine objectives and draft plan, incorporating comments on objectives
- Draft Plan
- Appendices
- Basic Conditions Statement
- Consultation Statement
- Select independent Consultant to advise on the draft plan and to ensure that all relevant criteria and legislation are fully met
- Obtain grant towards cost of professional help
- Engage independent Consultant
- Work with consultant to finalise draft plan for Regulation 14
- Informal consultation (Regulation 14)
- Produce next draft of the plan based on the consultation results (Regulation 15)
Planned 2018
- Stage 4 – Conduct formal round of public consultation (Regulation 16)
- Stage 5 – Examination of the Neighbourhood Plan by an independent examiner – to ensure it meets all statutory obligations.
- Stage 6 – Referendum conducted by North Herts District Council – assuming the examiner recommends that our draft plan can proceed.
Stages 4 to 6 are organised and paid for by North Herts District Council.
For a fuller description of the stages in producing the plan please visit the Our Future page.
How it all began
Our Parliament passed the Localism Act in 2012. This new Act gives all communities, for the first time ever, the legal right and opportunity to prepare their own Neighbourhood Plan. Such a plan sets out policies to guide development and the use of land in a parish or a neighbourhood. Once approved by NHDC, the plan becomes part of the statutory planning process.
At a public meeting, in our Village Hall on 26th June 2016, a large majority of the 35 residents attending voted in favour of producing a Neighbourhood Plan for this parish. Some residents volunteered to form the Steering Group, and to be responsible for producing the plan. Others have volunteered to be involved in different ways.
This is our parish – we are concerned about our future – we want everyone in the parish to have their say to help shape that future.