Brereton NP passed by Independent Examiner

Brereton Neighbourhood Plan given green light by Independent Examiner

Brereton Parish Council was the first in Cheshire East to take up the new neighbourhood planning powers and now, following a public hearing, the Independent Examiner has declared that their Neighbourhood Plan meets and passes all the relevant tests.

Subject to some modifications proposed by the Examiner, the plan can move forward to a local referendum, where the residents of Brereton can vote on it. Considering that it is the self-same residents whose views were embodied by their Neighbourhood Plan, it seems fairly unlikely to fail at the referendum!!

When the referendum is successful, the policies in the plan will be brought into full legal effect and will be used when Cheshire East Council considers planning applications in Brereton Parish.

Round 1 to Brereton and Cheshire East

This decision completely negates some of the aggressive tactics that have been repeatedly used by a large number of development companies nationwide in an attempt to prevent neighbourhood plans being approved in those areas where there is no Local Plan in place (as is the case in Cheshire East). These self-serving organisations have repeatedly stated that it is illegal for neighbourhood plans to be approved in these circumstances.

Brereton's NP has numerous similarities with the Audlem Neighbourhood Plan. Brereton Parish Council and residents believe, like Audlem, that without strong planning policies, any future developments might run the risk of being unsuitable, unsustainable and potentially damaging to the parish over the long term.

To this end they developed policies that would support small developments (<10) within the existing settlement boundary. Outside this boundary only very specific exceptions were allowable, namely re-development/conversion of existing buildings, affordable housing or self-build. Other policies focussed on community facilities, business/economic activity, protecting the rural environment, transport and infrastructure.

Audlem NP decision due soon

Whilst there are no guarantees that the Audlem Neighbourhood Plan will meet similar success, we should discover our fate in the very near future! The independent examination of our Neighbourhood Plan is currently being carried out by the recently appointed Examiner, Tim Jones, who is a barrister with expertise in planning law. He joined Liz Beth, who was initially selected as the Examiner. Together they expect to publish their Examiner's Report on December 23rd.

The complete Cheshire East Press Release can be found here

More Information on Brereton's Neighbourhood Plan can be found here

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