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NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2021

A Layman's Guide to a Neighbourhood Development Plan

What is a Neighbourhood Development Plan?

Neighbourhood Planning is designed to provide a powerful set of tools to help local communities get the right types of development in the right place. Once a Neighbourhood Plan is adopted (via a local referendum), the local planning policies contained within it are given weight by the Local Planning

Authority when making planning decisions. So when a planning application is presented for decision, the developer will have to follow the Neighbourhood Plan guidelines regarding the type of housing they can build and what materials they can use.

The policies the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group are currently developing, are for a Plan period until 2030, and all the strategies are required to be in general conformity with local planning guidelines set out by Lewes District Council (LDC), East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and the South Downs National Park (SDNP) Authority. In addition, the Neighbourhood Development Plan must also comply with National Policy set out by Government.

Read more on our website here

What's happening now?

In early 2021 two surveys were carried out, with a leaflet going to every home asking for residents' views. The first survey was the Masterplan consultation - not a design to be built, but a vision of what the new town centre could be. That survey closed at the end of January 2021 and the results were published in April. The statement issued by the Steering Group following that survey is shown here.

See the Masterplan vision here

The second survey was issued by HDD - the Co-op's developers with a suggested design for the replacement Meridian Centre. At the time of writing, we don't have the published results of that survey.

Whilst much of the focus has been on the Meridian Centre site, it is important to remember that the Neighbourhood Development Plan encompasses the entire area, from the downland fringe to the clifftop - and green spaces as well as housing.

Next Steps

Following the results of the first survey issued by the Steering Group, the Neighbourhood Plan is now being drafted to include all of the various reports that have been commissioned so far. All the policies in the plan need to be evidenced and must conform to Government guidelines.

The Neighbourhood Plan will eventually go to a Referendum where residents will be able to vote on the proposals.

WHO ARE THE STEERING GROUP?

Cathy Gallagher

Laurence O'Connor

Neil Watts

Ron White

David Judd

Maureen Berg

Chris Bowman

Pat Bowman

G White

In addition to the Steering Group, there are several small groups focussing on one element of the plan, such as Communications, Green Spaces, Housing, etc.

Official notification from Peacehaven & Telscombe Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group | Website