After nearly two years of evidence gathering and analysis, we have commissioned a town planning consultancy (DAC Planning) to assist us in putting a draft together before Christmas. This consultancy has taken plans in other parishes and towns in Essex through the entire process and will ensure that contents comply with the expectations of the law.
The neighbourhood plan makes an assessment of our physical assets, setting out what should be protected and where future development should go. The main themes cover economic development, lifestyle and well-being, housing, connectivity (getting around) and environment. Each theme leads to written policies detailing objectives against which plans will be implemented through the statutory planning process.
We have been reporting progress regularly in each newsletter, on the parish council website and social media channels and local businesses, residents and community organisations have responded to some initial ideas.
Why has IFPC been producing a neighbourhood plan?
In 2011 The Localism Act was passed. This enabled parishes to become a formal part of the statutory planning process if it produced a neighbourhood plan that me the legal standards.
A neighbourhood plan is a community-led planning framework for guiding the future development, regeneration and conservation of an area.
IFPC decided that Ingatestone and Fryerning deserved to be protected in this way, and set about producing one.
What happens next?
The plan will be made available in hard copy and on our website for a consultation period of six weeks. The publicity will include details of where and when the plan can be viewed and how to make comments and by what date.
The Neighbourhood Plan Advisory Committee will then review the response and revise the plan as necessary.
The revised neighbourhood plan will be presented to the Statutory Planning Authority (BBC) who will appoint an independent examiner to look at whether the plan meets the basic conditions of compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework, e.g. contributing to the achievement of sustainable development, general conformity with the strategic policies in the development plan for the local area and compatibility with EU obligations
Your time to vote
The final stage in creating a neighbourhood plan is to hold a referendum rub by the Electoral Office at Brentwood. For the plan to come into force, there must be a majority ‘yes’ vote.
We are hoping that this will be at the same time as the Borough Council election in May 2020 to encourage as many residents as possible to cast a vote and reduce the cost of conducting an election.
