Neighbourhood Plan Progress

The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, that has been working to produce a Neighbourhood Plan for the Village, has now reached the stage of producing a pre-submission draft for consideration by the Parish Council. Once approved by the Parish Council it will go through the following process:

• Pre-submission draft published with six weeks for the local community to make comments.

• Steering Committee review comments and make any changes required.

• Revised draft considered by the Parish Council.

• Plan submitted to Harborough District Council (HDC) together with supporting documentation.HDC checks that it complies with all relevant legislation and publicises the proposal for a minimum of six weeks and invites representations.

• HDC submits Plan for independent examination.

• Report issued by Inspector to Parish Council and HDC.

• Plan amended as necessary.

• HDC takes the decision on whether to hold a referendum.

Everyone living in the area of coverage of the neighbourhood plan, who is registered to vote in local elections, will be entitled to vote in the referendum. Polling will take place and residents will vote on whether the plan should come into force.

If more than 50% of people voting in the referendum support the neighbourhood plan, HDC will formally consider the plan for adoption as part of its planning policy framework. The policies set out in the Plan will then become part of the planning framework and will be taken into account when HDC makes decisions on planning applications in the Village.