Issue - meetings

The report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)     all of the Examiner’s recommended modifications to the Hickling Parish Neighbourhood Plan be accepted, with the exception of Modifications 09 and 10;

b)     the Hickling Parish Neighbourhood Plan Decision Statement and its publications be approved;

c)     a six week consultation should be undertaken on the proposed decision not to accept Modifications 09 and 10; and

d)     a referendum on the Hickling Parish Neighbourhood Plan should not proceed at this time.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Economic Growth, Councillor Edyvean presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth providing an update on the Hickling Parish Neighbourhood Plan.  

Councillor Edyvean confirmed that the Plan had been produced by Hickling Parish Council, in conjunction with the local community and assessed by an independent Examiner.  Cabinet noted that usually the Examiner’s report  confirmed that a plan was fit for purpose and had reached the required standard for adoption within the Council’s own Local Plan.  At that stage, the Council would normally accept or reject the Examiner’s report in its entirety and then proceed to a referendum.  However, in this particular instance, Cabinet was advised that two of the Examiner’s recommended Modifications, 9 and 10 were not considered to be necessary to meet the legal requirements and Basic Conditions, details of which were highlighted in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 of the report. 

In conclusion, Councillor Edyvean advised that it if the Examiner’s recommended modifications were accepted, it could possibly lead to development on a greenfield site, which would be unacceptable, and it was for this reason that the Parish Council had asked for Modifications 9 and 10 to not be accepted.

Councillor Moore seconded the recommendation.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)     all of the Examiner’s recommended modifications to the Hickling Parish Neighbourhood Plan be accepted, with the exception of Modifications 9 and 10;

b)     the Hickling Parish Neighbourhood Plan Decision Statement and its publications be approved;

c)     a six week consultation should be undertaken on the proposed decision not to accept Modifications 9 and 10; and

d)     a referendum on the Hickling Parish Neighbourhood Plan should not proceed at this time.