To sustain a thriving, friendly, safe and desirable parish community
WHO ARE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN STEERING GROUP?
The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group is made up of a collection of Parish Councillors, ex-Parish Councillors, local residents, local councillors and a Dorset Council liaison. Use this link for details.
WHAT IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?
The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group were given a Terms of Reference by Wool Parish Council to create a Neighbourhood Plan for the Parish of Wool which includes Bovington and East Burton.
A Neighbourhood Plan is a set of 'local policies' which are legally binding on planning decisions. It is different from other planning policy because it is prepared by the community.
HOW IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN DIFFERENT FROM THE PURBECK LOCAL PLAN?
A Neighbourhood Plan must comply with other levels of planning policy, namely the National Planning Policy Framework and The Purbeck Local Plan (once it is adopted).
A Neighbourhood Plan can refine the planning policies specifically for Wool Parish.
WHY PRODUCE A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?
The Parish Council decided to create a Neighbourhood Plan to:
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Develop a shared vision for Wool, Bovington and East Burton which is led by local people
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Increase the Parish Council’s proportion of money generated by developments to improve our Parish
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Identify and protect important local green spaces
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Influence what new homes should be like
The law is that if there is no ‘Local Plan’ in place for housing there is a presumption in favour of development and so housing developers could put in speculative planning proposals leading to poor developments. A properly prepared Neighbourhood Plan will lead to more a more controlled approach for the residents of Wool Parish.
WHAT CAN A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AFFECT?
Typical things that a Neighbourhood Plan might include
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The development of housing, including affordable housing, and bringing vacant or derelict housing back into use
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Provision for businesses to set up or expand their premises
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Transport and access (including issues around roads, cycling, walking and access for disabled people)
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The development of schools, places of worship, health facilities, leisure and entertainment facilities, community and youth centres and village halls
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The restriction of certain types of development and change of use, for example to avoid too much of one type of use
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The design of buildings
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Protection and creation of open space, nature reserves, allotments, sports pitches, play areas, parks and gardens, and the planting of trees
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Protection of important buildings and historic assets such as archaeological remains
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Promotion of renewable energy projects, such as solar energy and wind turbines
This list was taken from the Campaign To Protect Rural England (CPRE) website and should not be considered to be exhaustive so please do not let it restrict your thinking.
WHAT HAPPENS LATER?
Once the policies have been developed and the plan has been written, the plan must be submitted for legal inspection to make sure it has been done correctly and covers legitimate issues.
The Local Authority must arrange and pay for a referendum and if more than half of those who vote are in favour it becomes “made” i.e. legal.
Once it has been made legal the policies in the plan will be used alongside the council’s own planning policy documents to make decisions on planning applications in the area.
Creating the plan can take about two and a half years so a bit of patience will be required as the Steering Group are doing this as volunteers on top of their own busy lives.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN OR WOULD LIKE TO HELP SHAPE THE PLAN, PLEASE EMAIL: contact@woolparishnp.com