Neighourhood Plan and Planning decisions

Parish Councillors and the Neighbourhood Plan Steering committee have recently been concerned at the lack of notice taken of Audlem's Neighbourhood Plan when planning decisions are taken.

Representations were made to Michael E Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council and he responded positively, stating that processes are being put in place to ensure due weight is given to all emerging Neighbourhood Plans.

However, the continued uncertainty over a 5 year housing land supply within Cheshire East and the high level of influence developers appear to have in government decisions is of concern to all Town and Parish Councils who are developing their own
Neighbourhood Plans

They, too, have similar concerns that only lip service is paid to Neighbourhood Plans despite all the consultation and supporting evidence which is provided.

Letter to David Cameron

Audlem's Parish Councillors decided it was time to go straight to the top with a letter to David Cameron ( Click on pdf File) regarding:

• The excessive influence of developers on Local and Neighbourhood Plans.
• What 'sustainability' means in practice.
• The recent announcement of favourable consideration to 'affordable housing to buy'

Councillors requested that the Prime Minister instruct George Osborne and the other 4 Cheshire East MPs to set up a forum in which the voices of the smaller towns and villages in this area can be heard by members of the government.

To date the letter has been acknowledged by the Prime Minister's Office but no detailed response has yet been received.

Congleton's letter

Congleton Town Council have also written in a similar vein to Greg Clark, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government requesting confirmation of the Government's strong support for Neighbourhood Plans. They are asking other Councils to join them in letting the government know how frustrated and disheartened communities are becoming with the free market approach to planning which currently prevails.

The Planning Inspector's report on the revised Cheshire East Local Plan was published on 14 December which appears broadly supportive of the revised approach being taken by Cheshire East.

The Independent Examiner will report on the Audlem Neighbourhood Plan on 23 December.

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