Pitsford Neighbourhood Plan Regulation 16 consultation

Overview

West Northamptonshire Council has a legal responsibility to undertake a consultation on the submitted version of a neighbourhood plan.

Pitsford Parish Council and the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group submitted their final version of the Pitsford Neighbourhood Plan to West Northamptonshire Council in August 2021.

As the local planning authority, the Council is required to undertake a consultation to provide the opportunity for all parties to comment on whether the submitted plan meets the basic conditions before it goes to independent examination.

What is a neighbourhood plan?

Neighbourhood plans give communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area.

The plan includes policies which look to shape development, protect the environment, improve community facilities, create a sustainable community and support the local economy.

An adopted neighbourhood plan is used when assessing planning applications in the area.

What is being consulted on?

There are seven key steps in the development of a neighbourhood plan, summarised below:

• Step 1: Designating neighbourhood area
• Step 2: Preparing a draft neighbourhood plan
• Step 3: Pre-submission publicity and consultation
• Step 4: Submission of a neighbourhood plan proposal to West Northamptonshire Council
• Step 5: Independent examination
• Steps 6 and 7: Referendum and bringing the neighbourhood plan into force

This consultation is step 4 of the neighbourhood planning process. The Pitsford Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to West Northamptonshire Council on the 20 August 2021.

This consultation is the formal opportunity to make comments about the neighbourhood plan, which will be made available to the independent examiner. This is known as a Regulation 16 consultation – named after the neighbourhood planning regulation that sets out how the consultation takes place.

Who can take part in this consultation?

The neighbourhood plan has been prepared by Pitsford Parish Council and specifically covers Pitsford parish as the designated neighbourhood area.

Pitsford parish is a rural area in West Northamptonshire located about 4 miles north of Northampton town centre and 15 miles east of Daventry.

The consultation is aimed at individuals and organisations living, working and / or carrying out business within Pitsford parish who will be affected by the plan, or are interested in what the plan contains.

What happens next?

Once this consultation closes, West Northamptonshire Council and Pitsford Parish Council will jointly appoint an independent examiner to assess the neighbourhood plan against the basic conditions.

There a several basic conditions for a neighbourhood plan. The plan must:

• have regard to national policies
• contribute to the achievement of sustainable development
• be in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan for the area
• be compatible with human rights requirements
• be compatible with EU obligations