BCP Council have published the Examiners report into the Highcliffe and Walkford Neighbourhood plan.
The Examiner has concluded that subject to policy modifications the plan meets basic conditions. The Examiner has recommended that the plan, once modified, can proceed to referendum, on the basis that it has met all the relevant legal requirements.
However, it is the nature of the modifications that the Examiner has recommended which is of particular interest. Giles Moir, Director at Chapman Lily Planning explained that ‘on behalf of a number of clients we made representations through the Neighbourhood Plan process in relation to the sheer number of areas proposed as Local Green Space and whether the areas met the tests of being Local Green Space. We also provided an evidenced objection to the proposed policy which sought to restrict the loss of detached family homes and their replacement with apartments’.
Giles went on to say that ‘it is pleasing that the Examiner has recommended the deletion of the policy which sought to restrict the loss of family homes and their replacement with apartments and that the Examiner has not included our clients land parcels in the list of sites that can be considered as Local Green Space’.
The next stage in the Neighbourhood Plan process is for BCP’s Cabinet to decide whether the plan should proceed to referendum.
If you have a development proposal which may be affected by the proposed Neighbourhood Plan please contact Chapman Lily Planning to see how we can assist.
Giles Moir
Director