As part of the government’s ‘Big Society’ agenda local communities are being given the opportunity to develop a Neighbourhood Plan.
Although the Government’s intention is for local people to decide what goes on in their Neighbourhood Plan area, the Localism Act 2011 sets out some important laws. One of these is that all Neighbourhood Plans must be in line with higher level planning policy. That is, Neighbourhood Plans must have regard to national policy and advice, and be in general conformity with local strategic policy.
In 2011 the parishes of Hurley, White Waltham, Waltham St Lawrence and Shottesbrooke were offered the opportunity to produce such a plan. This plan gives our community direct power to develop a shared vision for our neighbourhood and shape the development and growth for the next 15 years. The Plan can be reviewed in the future, to take account of changing circumstances.
Our focus has been to protect the Green Belt and ensure our Conservation Areas are preserved whilst looking at future housing needs in the Neighbourhood Plan area and maintaining and enhancing our environment. The Parish Councils have worked tirelessly to ensure they maintain and preserve the distinct atmosphere and environment of their villages whilst ensuring communities thrive.
Our Neighbourhood Plan area is 99% green belt and therefore largely constrained from new development by the NPPF and Borough Local Plan policies on green belt and in many areas, flood zones policies.
So many residents attended the consultation events and the response to our survey was indeed very high. Our grateful thanks to all our residents who participated in the consultation event and responded to the survey.
Our pre-submission consultation took place between December 2015 and March 2016 and we thank all of our residents, landowners and businesses that provided us with feedback on the Neighbourhood Plan policies.
The Hurley & the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group has considered your feedback, and a full report on our consultation is available as a separate document. The Steering Group has now produced a final version of the Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan to be submitted to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead for review and for examination.
Maureen Hunt
Hurley and the Walthams Neighbourhood Plan Chairman
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