PC votes for fast-track neighbourhood plan

Audlem Parish Council last night voted unanimously for a policy of creating a 'Resident First' Neighbourhood Plan as part of a full Neighbourhood Plan.

The fast-track 'Resident First' Plan, which can be completed in a matter of months rather than years, was outlined at last Thursday's public meeting as well as the full Neighbourhood Plan, which is normally a process that can take two years or so.

That public meeting was told that both styles of plan can be conducted as they are not mutually exclusive. Residents voted for both, an approach that was endorsed last night by the Parish Council.

Cheshire East councillor Rachel Bailey dealt with a number of issues raised by parish councillors and by residents via correspondence. She explained that the planning environment remains difficult. She said that the 'Resident First' plan would be a way of providing protection against speculative developers in Local Service Centres such as Audlem.

Asked about the status of these fast-track plans, she stressed that it would be a nonsense for Cheshire East to propose 'Resident First' plans without checking on the standing of this approach. Once the 'Resident First' plan is completed, Audlem can move on to a full Neighbourhood Plan, just as residents wanted at Thursday's public meeting.

Fortunately, she added, Audlem has a firm basis to work on with two parish plans already completed as well as a Village Design Statement.

Councillors will now create a sub-committee and that will lead to a Steering Group consisting of parish councillors and other residents who can oversee the fast-track process. This will include residents being consulted on where they would like development (site allocation) leading to a referendum when residents decide if they approve the plan.

To engage as many age groups as possible, the Parish Council is proposing to hold a competition over the summer, with a prize, asking school pupils and other younger members of the community about what they would like Audlem to look like in the future. Details to follow.

The Parish Council also welcomed the proposal from the Parish Plan Community Projects team to go ahead with a 2015 Parish Plan and £2,000 will be made available to cover costs.

Roland Hall, chair of the Community Projects team, explained how important Parish Plans were in helping to obtain funds for village projects but funders wanted to see up to date plans. Audlem has produced previous Parish Plans in 2005 and 2010, hence the proposal to update in 2015.

More on all this in the near future, including how you can volunteer and get involved.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.