A Neighbourhood Plan is a document that sets out the planning policies and spatial and infrastructure priorities for the designated Neighbourhood Area. Planning Policies are used to decide whether to approve planning applications.
It is written by the local community, the people who know and love the area.
Local people can create a plan that allows them to develop planning policies that reflect the priorities of the area and have real legal weight. The whole community decides at a referendum vote whether the local authority should bring The Plan into force.
Why do we need one?
There is enormous pressure for development across the UK to provide housing, employment, community facilities and infrastructure. Some of the demand for new development will HAVE to be met in the Batchworth area. The Neighbourhood Plan is required to set out how it will facilitate development – not stop it. It can’t be a ‘not in my back yard’ device.
If adopted, the existence of a Plan will ensure that Batchworth Community