INTRODUCTION
Murton is one of 17 parishes in York that is creating its own Neighbourhood Plan. It will form part of the bigger planning picture, which includes the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework) and the emerging City of York Local Plan
https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/420/local-plan-submission-documents-1
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
The Localism Act 2011 introduced new rights and powers for communities. It set out the Government’s planning policies and how they should be applied. It gives the framework for the preparation of locally distinctive planning policies in the form of Local Plans. For us, this is the emerging City of York Local Plan.
The Act includes the introduction of a new ‘neighbourhood’ layer to the planning system which is central to the package of planning reforms and is aimed at giving people the opportunity to shape the places they live in. Neighbourhood Plans are a key element of neighbourhood planning, giving communities a new and better way to decide the future of the places where they live and work. It allows us to make decisions about what is important and needs protecting, and what needs improving through the planning system.
Thus the Murton Neighbourhood Plan will become part of the statutory framework for planning and allows our community to develop a vision of what the Parish should be like and make decisions on where certain types of development should go.
As required by the Localism Act, it is guided by the NPPF, the national policy, and the emerging City of York Local Plan which gives ‘the strategy vision for the city’, and must conform to the NPPF.
The Murton Neighbourhood Plan, together with the York Local Plan, will cover the period to 2032/33.
The Parish Council will monitor the plan and consider whether any revision is necessary.
Who is producing the Neighbourhood Plan?
The Parish Council is responsible for producing the Plan and has set up a Working Party under the chairmanship of Cllr Richard Clancey to formulate proposals.
Why are we producing a Neighbourhood Plan?
Murton already has a very successful Village Design Statement. However, this only influences decisions and doesn’t apply to the entire area of the Parish. A Neighbourhood Plan will go much further by ensuring that any changes or development in the future must be compliant with our wishes as a community.
What is the emerging City of York Local Plan?
The City of York Local Plan, which is being developed , will, when adopted, set strategic priorities for the whole city.. It forms the basis for planning decisions and will be reviewed at regular intervals. It will adhere to national policies.
What has the Parish Council done so far to prepare Murton’s Neighbourhood Plan?
We applied to the City of York Council to produce a Neighbourhood Plan and, following statutory public consultation, obtained their agreement.
Consultations took place at the following stages in the neighbourhood planning process:
March 2014
A Press release on March 17th
A letter from the Chairman of the Parish Council delivered to every household
A letter from the City of York Council delivered to businesses
Statutory announcements by the City of York Council posted through the Parish
March/April 2014
A consultation period, March 17th to April 28th 2014 to publicize the neighbourhood area
July 2015
Agreed designation of Neighbourhood Plan area, July 23rd
January 2016
A letter to every household and another to businesses from the Chairman of the Parish Council. With the letter, a pamphlet together with a Questionnaire was sent to every household and local business. A concise review of the results of the Questionnaire are given in the Consultation Statement
A further letter to all households not living in the village was sent by the Chairman of the Working Party
June 2016
A visit to all households on the southern edge of the Parish
August 2016
A pamphlet sent to all households in the Parish by the Chairman of the Working Party inviting them to a Drop-in and giving a further explanation of the Neighbourhood Plan
Letter to businesses giving notice of the Drop-in and, as above, a further explanation of the Neighbourhood Plan
September 2016
A Drop-in
May 2017
A questionnaire was sent all households and businesses in and adjacent to the village
October 2017
A report on the questionnaire was sent to all households in the village and adjacent to it
A report on the questionnaire was also sent to all businesses in and near the village
November 2017
A questionnaire was sent all households on the southern edge of the parish
January 2018
A report on the questionnaire was sent to all households on the southern edge of the parish (Consultation Statement)
August/September 2018
A Newsletter (4 pages), which gave an update of the work so far, was sent to all households in the Parish and to the Businesses
April 2021
The pre-submission consultation involving all residents and businesses in the Parish and national and local organisations with a stake in the Parish
What are the next steps?
1. The City of York Council will ensure that the Plan conforms to the
Neighbourhood Plan regulations and then publish the Plan for 6 weeks. This period allows all those interested to send further comments.
2. The City of York Council will then send the Plan to an independent
examiner who will ensure that the Plan complies with all relevant national legislation and guidelines. This is known as the examination.
3. After the examination, the City of York Council Executive
Members will decide if they agree with the Examiner’s Recommendations and whether the Plan should proceed to a referendum. If it is approved by a simple majority, the Plan will become part of the City of York’s development plan to guide future planning decisions in the Parish.
Where can I get information about the progress made in producing the Neighbourhood Plan?
The Working Party produces a short account of the work that it has carried out for each meeting of the Parish Council. The reports are available on this website.
Can I ask questions and make comments now?
YES! Please send questions and comments to Cllr Richard Clancey, Chairman of the Murton Neighbourhood Group Working Party.
Email: clanceyrichard@gmail.com