Decision details

To provide a background to the progress of the Benenden Neighbourhood Development Plan (BNDP) that has now reached the stage for the local planning authority to make the decision to issue a Decision Statement for the BNDP to progress to a referendum.

RESOLVED –

1. That the independent examiner’s Report on the Benenden Neighbourhood Development Plan (BNDP) be noted and published.
2. That the BNDP be modified in part, according to the examiner’s recommendations and following discussion with Benenden Parish Council be approved.
3. That the Decision Statement at Appendix D and the decision to progress the BNDP as set out at Appendix E to referendum be approved (noting that the referendum area is Benenden Parish plus seven addresses identified by the examiner, located adjacent to the Benenden Hospital site at East End and falling within Biddenden Parish (Ashford District Council)).
4. That in the event the referendum result on the BNDP is positive with more than 50% of the vote, the Council formally makes the BNDP as set out in Appendix E so that it has effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for the Neighbourhood Area (Benenden Parish) be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Approved Neighbourhood Plans become part of the development plan for the Borough and are a key document in the determination of planning applications that allow the local community to take responsibility for land use planning in their area.