The Localism Act (2011) empowers communities to produce a Neighbourhood Plan which allows them to shape new development in their area setting out a vision covering local issues – providing a framework for future development and growth in Southwell.
The Neighbourhood Plan is a community project – written by the community for the community.
In the spring of 2014, Southwell residents were surveyed on three questions –
- What do you like most about Southwell?
- What do you like least about Southwell?
- What isues are of greatest concern in Southwell?
Flooding was the 2nd most important issue for concern
- What do you like least about Southwell? – Speeding/Heavy traffic – enforcement 19%; Flood risk – 15%
- Development issues of most concern – Housing Development – 48%; Flooding – 22%
Source: Bramley Newspaper and Neighbourhood Plan Web Site Survey Results – Spring 2014
The Neighbourhood Plan has to be in “general conformance” to the Local Development Plan.
The LDP has been created and adopted by Newark & Sherwood District Council.
Part of the LDP has defined land in Southwell suitable for housing allocation of 290 dwellings in addition to those already built or where planning permission is already approved, and a further 6 to 7 hectares of employment land to 2017.
While the Neighbourhood Plan cannot amend this requirement, it can look at other aspects of planning such as where further allocations of housing could go, types and designs of houses, and the impact on infrastructre, services and the environment of the town including issues around flooding risk.
The results have been collated, summarised and can be seen in the Documents page on the Neighbourhood web site.
To read the full article in the Bramley, please click here.
