Issue - meetings

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the associated report. 

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.

Stephen Baughen, Head of Planning introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Registered Speakers: Ms Hazel Strouts (member of the public)

                                    Ms Nicola Thomas (Chair of Benenden Parish Council)

Discussion and questions from Members included the following:

-       The Cabinet Advisory Board were supportive of the recommendations and made clear that it should go forward to referendum as it was a decision that was solely that of Benenden Parish.

-       The role of the Council was to oversee the process and the point of the report was to ensure that policy had been followed and that it was now ready to progress to the next stage. 

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.