Murton Parish Neighbourhood Plan Working Party
Report to the Parish Council, September 12th 2018
1. City of York Local Plan
It was noted in the last report to the Parish Council that the latest draft of the City of York Local Plan- Publication Draft February 2018 (Regulation 19 Consultation), with amendments, had been sent to the independent Inspectors who will examine it. Subsequently, the City Council has received an initial review from the Inspectors asking for some clarifications. These include justification for Council’s decision to lower the number of houses required over the next 20 years compared to the number recommended by the Council’s own commissioned expert guidance, the Green Belt strategy and the lack of clarity concerning the needs of new infrastructure. These points are described by the Inspectors as of ‘fundamental importance to the soundness of the plan’.
The Working Party, in turn, has asked for some clarification, for example, if there are changes in the Local Plan to meet these points, whether we are consulted. In reply, the Council officer states that the Council’s response has been to tell the Inspectors that they will set out a timetable for the detailed responses in early September and that this response, like other matters concerned with the Inspector’s examination, will be on their webpage
www.york.gov.uk/localplanexamination
The Council will also publish any updates and documents to ensure that ‘the examination is transparent’. There will be a citywide consultation. As part of this ‘we will of course ensure that the Parish Council is notified of this process’. and, in addition they are happy to meet with the Parish Council’s Working Party on matters regarding the Neighbourhood Plan.
It appears unlikely that any setback in implementing the City of York Local Plan will hold up the Neighbourhood Plan.
2. The National Planning Policy Framework
The National Planning Policy Framework has been revised and was published in July 2018. The Government sees this as ‘a vital tool in ensuring that we get planning for the right homes built in the right places of the right quality at the same time as protecting our environment’.
Probably the most important part of it as far as the Neighbourhood Plan is concerned is the section on the Green Belt and at first study, little has changed from the first (2012) NPPF to which we have been working.
3. The Neighbourhood Plan Report
(i) We have continued our discussions with our consultant, Dave Chetwyn, on Section 5 of the Report, the one that outlines our Policies. This is the most difficult of the sections to write as the Neighbourhood Plan must meet the ‘basic conditions set out in planning legislation. These are:
· having regard to national planning policies and guidance;
· being in general conformity with strategic local policy;
· achieving sustainable development;
· not breaching EU Obligations.
In addition, the neighbourhood plan must comply with human rights legislation.
The Working Party hopes to have a working draft of this Section by the end of September.
(ii) We have been invited by the Council officers to have a meeting with them, so that they can catch up on progress and to discuss drafts that we have developed.
(iii) The officers have also offered help with requirements relating to the EU obligations such as Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulation Assessment.
4. Grant from Locality
It was noted, at the last meeting of the Parish Council that the Chairman has sent in our bid for further funding. She has now been informed that the bid has been successful. The funding will be used to obtain advice from our consultant.
5. Parish Council Newsletter
The Newsletter outlining the work done so far by the Working Party has been published and distributed to households in the Parish. Copies will also be sent by the Chairman of the Working Party to businesses in the Parish.