WILSTEAD VILLAGE
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
GOES FOR FORMAL CONSULTATION
The final draft of the Wilstead Neighbourhood Plan (encompassing 10 documents) has now been submitted to Bedford Borough Council. Bedford Borough will publish them (under Regulation 16) for a 6-week period to allow comments to be made. This consultation period has now been set at 2nd March to 14th April 2022. A link to all the documents is now on the Parish Council and Village websites together with a note explaining the process. You will also find them on the Borough Council's website at:
https://www.bedford.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning
Any comments will be sent directly to an independent Examiner who will examine the Neighbourhood Plan and all accompanying documents. The Examiner will then consider whether the Neighbourhood Plan has been properly prepared, asking any questions that may arise and deciding if any modifications need to be made to the Plan. An Examiners Report will then be issued stating if the Neighbourhood Plan can proceed to Referendum, subject to any modifications.
Bedford Borough will then start the process of organising a referendum which will be held in the Parish (similar to normal election arrangements) at the normal polling station.
Voters will be asked if the Neighbourhood Plan 'should be used to determine planning applications in the Parish?' If there is a majority of 'yes' votes, then the Neighbourhood Plan will be 'made' by Bedford Borough Council. Once made, the policies in the Neighbourhood Plan will hold as much weight in decision making as the Bedford Borough Local Plan which is due to go to Committee at the end of April 2022.
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
Neighbourhood planning is a new way for communities to have a say in the future of the places where they live and work. It gives them the power to produce a plan with real legal weight that directs development in your local area. It helps you:
· choose where you want new homes, shops and offices to be built
· have your say on what those new buildings should look like
· grant planning permission for the new buildings you want to see go ahead
The documents can be found here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6ihg3imk6mqvtpv/AACXqwqdfRmgGtVwsr_hReO-a?dl=0
The final draft of the Wilstead Neighbourhood Plan has now been submitted to an independent Examiner. A link to the Examiner’s acknowledgement is included here.
A further link to the completed Draft Plan is included on the Parish Council and Village websites together with a note explaining the process. You will also find the Plan on the Borough Council’s website at: https://www.bedford.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning.
The Examiner is to consider whether the Neighbourhood Plan has been properly prepared, ask any questions that may arise and decide if any modifications need to be made as a result of comments received. An Examiners Report will then be issued stating if the Neighbourhood Plan can proceed to Referendum, subject to any modifications.
Bedford Borough will then start the process of organising a referendum which will be held in the Parish (similar to normal election arrangements) at the normal polling station. Voters will be asked if the Neighbourhood Plan 'should be used to determine planning applications in the Parish' If there is a majority of 'yes' votes, then the Neighbourhood Plan will be 'made' by Bedford Borough Council. Once made, the policies in the Neighbourhood Plan will hold as much weight in decision making as the latest Bedford Borough Local Plan
