To seek the Cabinet’s agreement for Officers to carry out a six-week public consultation on Ardleigh Parish Council’s new Neighbourhood Plan, as part of the statutory plan-making process.

RESOLVED that Cabinet -

a)     notes the contents of the submitted documentation at Appendix 1 (The Neighbourhood Development Plan), Appendix 2 (Ardleigh Consultation Statement)  and Appendix 3 (Ardleigh Basic Condition Statement ); and

b)     authorises the Director (Planning) to carry out a six week public consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan and other related documents, in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012, following the District and Town/Parish Council elections in May 2023.

Cabinet considered a report of the Planning Portfolio Holder (A.1), which sought its agreement for Officers to carry out a six week public consultation on Ardleigh Parish Council’s new Neighbourhood Plan, as part of the statutory plan-making process.

It was reported that Ardleigh Parish Council had submitted the final version of its Neighbourhood Plan to Tendring District Council (TDC). The Neighbourhood Plan had been prepared by the Parish Council having regard to the technical evidence, feedback from community engagement activities and the ongoing advice of TDC Officers.

Members were informed that, as part of the statutory plan-making process, the Neighbourhood Plan must be published for six-weeks formal consultation and thereafter undergo an independent examination and a local referendum before it could be formally adopted by the District Council.

Cabinet was advised that, in adoption, the Neighbourhood Plan (with any changes required as a result of the consultation and examination process) would form part of the ‘Development Plan’ alongside the Tendring District Local Plan and would be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

Members were made aware that the documents submitted by Ardleigh Parish Council included the Neighbourhood Plan itself, a consultation document, a ‘Basic Condition Statement’ and a number of other supporting documents including a Habitat Regulation Assessment and a Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Cabinet noted that, because of the timing of both District Council and Town/Parish Council elections on 4th May 2023 and the concomitant restrictions on consultation activity in the pre-election period which had commenced on 13th March 2023, the six-week consultation would have to take place following those elections.

It was reported that the decisions involved in the process of making a Neighbourhood Development Plan were largely technical, or administrative, in nature, however certain decisions, for example, the decision to hold a referendum, or ultimately the decision to make the Neighbourhood Plan and bring it into force could be key decisions and as such should include Members’ involvement.

Having duly considered the contents of the submitted documentation and in order to allow this matter to move forward:-

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor G V Guglielmi and:-

RESOLVED that Cabinet -

a)     notes the contents of the submitted documentation at Appendix 1 (The Neighbourhood Development Plan), Appendix 2 (Ardleigh Consultation Statement)  and Appendix 3 (Ardleigh Basic Condition Statement ); and

b)     authorises the Director (Planning) to carry out a six week public consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan and other related documents, in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012, following the District and Town/Parish Council elections in May 2023.