March 2021

Report to Neighbourhood Plan sub-committee – 10 March 2021

An update on the progress of the Neighbourhood Plan

Following completion of the Basic Conditions Statement and Consultation Statement, these documents were sent to NKDC for informal review. A few minor changes were required and have been made. A second informal review has taken place and NKDC has confirmed that the plan is ready to be submitted for Regulation 16 consultation.

The following table provides suggested timings for the next steps in the neighbourhood planning process. It should be noted that all timescales provided are indicative and are yet to be confirmed. The suggested timescales, as given below, enable a potential referendum date of October 2021.

• Task: Regulation 16 consultation

This is a consultation carried out by NKDC on the submitted plan. NKDC will contact all those bodies and organisations that were contacted during Regulation 14. These organisations will have a second chance to send comments based on the revised plan following Regulation 14.

Timeframe: 12 April to 31 May 2021 (To be confirmed)

Other information: NKDC has advised that the Regulation 16 consultation should not begin over the Easter weekend. It is equally complicated due to COVID-19 and that a consultation should not take place during a period of national restrictions. This is because hard copies of the documents should be accessible in the community.

The suggested dates therefore take into account holiday periods and indicative dates for the lifting of national restrictions due to COVID-19. 

• Task: Appointment of an Examiner (via NPIERS)

Once the Regulation 16 process has begun NKDC will begin the process of selecting an independent examiner for the Plan.

Timeframe: 12 April to 31 May 2021

Other information: NKDC and Bracebridge Heath Parish Council appoint an Examiner so that he/she is in place at the end of the 6 week publicity stage. Timings will need to be agreed before requesting an examiner. NKDC will work with NPIERS to coordinate this.

• Task: Review of Regulation 16

NKDC will review the responses from the Regulation 16 consultation.

Timeframe: 31 May to 14 June 2021

Other information: Consultation arranged and carried out by NKDC.

• Task: Bracebridge Heath Full Council approval that the Plan be submitted for independent examination

Timeframe: 31 May to 14 June 2021

Other information: Terms of Reference for the Neighbourhood plan sub-committee require the sub-committee to obtain Full council approval prior to submission for independent examination.

• Task: Submission of a plan to examination (Regulation 17)

The chosen examiner will review the whole Plan including the process of consultations with stakeholders.

Timeframe: 14 June to 14 July 2021

Other information: As soon as possible after the 6-week publicity Regulation 16 consultation, NKDC must send the plan and associated documents to the examiner.

It is not possible to know the type or amount of comments and recommendations that will come back from the examiner. In most cases, the examiner returns a number of proposed amendments and makes a recommendation to put the Plan forward for referendum.

• Task: Consideration of Examination report

Timeframe: 15 July - unknown

Other information:  Report provided to NKDC and NP sub-committee by examiner. The final examiners’ report will recommend one of the following:

• the plan proceeds to the referendum stage;
• subject to modifications it can proceed to the referendum stage;
• that the plan does not meet the basic conditions and that modification to make it meet the basic conditions is not possible. Therefore, the plan should not proceed to the referendum.

Timing for this varies as it depends on the outcome of the examination. All NKDC Neighbourhood Plans have required modifications before proceeding to the referendum stage. All modifications are carried out by the sub-committee and then checked by NKDC.

• Task: Publication of the examiner's report and plan proposal decisions (Regulation 18)

Other information: This must be published with the outcome of the Examiners Report. NKDC has 56 (working) days from publishing the statement to hold the referendum.

• Task: Publication of information statement

Timeframe: Minimum of 28 working days prior to referendum date

Other information: Information statement is published on the website. This provides information on the referendum and must be actioned a minimum of 28 (working) days before referendum date.

• Task: Referendum held

Timeframe: October 2021 (potentially)

Other information: Subject to change based on outcome of examination.The referendum allows local electors to vote on whether to adopt the Neighbourhood Plan. If adopted, the Plan holds legal weight in planning decisions that affect the community. It also allows the local community to benefit from increased funding through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).