Holwell Parish Council was keen to investigate Neighbourhood Planning and took up this opportunity early in the life of the idea. The West Dorset Local Plan was not adopted until December 2015 but, while that process was continuing, several planning matters arose that suggested that having more control over building in our Parish could only be a good thing.
The Policies in the Local Plan rightly give preference to placing larger developments nearer existing, larger settlements where the infrastructure ensures the sustainability of the development. For villages over 200 heads which have no recognised settlement boundary in the form of a Defined Development Boundary (DDB), the Local Plan assumed there would be no development other than Rural Exception Sites (RES). Holwell qualifies in this category.
Whilst buildings such as the conversion of existing farm buildings under the RES rules may be seen as acceptable to residents, a proposal to build a mini-estate of 14 new houses ensured that residents became active in protest. The style of development was at odds with the general style of Holwell properties and, with few people with a local connection on the Housing list and an unsustainable village –no shop, school, pub, limited bus route - it was hard to see how the development could be deemed to be sustainable. However, the Planning Inspector did not agree and so the Crouch Lane houses are due to be built by Stonewater as 100% affordable which also means that the Parish Council does not qualify for Community Infrastructure Levy funds.
It was clear that residents wanted a plan that meant they could decide what was developed in Holwell in the future. Following the Crouch Lane appeal decision, the Parish Council held a public meeting asking if people wanted to continue with the Neighbourhood Plan; on a show of hands from the 60 or so residents that attended, it was agreed to go ahead.
Holwell appears to be a village with polarised opinions on most matters and the number of houses to be built during the life of this Plan was no exception. Some people wanted no further development other than what is allowed by the Local Plan and others were keen to see up to 10 houses built, with the likely consensus being somewhere in the middle. The Plan made site allocations for 4 dwellings and identified a site for affordable housing if required in the future.
We in Holwell want a long term future for the village, its residents and businesses and lay out in this plan how we want Holwell to develop. We have a proposal for the number of houses we should be developing and the Village Hall Committee is seeking to rejuvenate one of our key community assets, the Village Hall, to support residents for years to come. We have lots of evidence relating to the environment around Holwell that we wish to continue to enjoy and this Plan meets our vision and aims.
Holwell is a great place to live with a wonderful countryside which is greatly treasured by walkers, horse riders, wildlife enthusiasts, star gazers and those that just want a quiet life This plan aims to protect what already exists here that makes Holwell unique whether that is buildings, views, community assets or wildlife, whilst encouraging development that the Parish Council and residents have agreed is appropriate and meets our needs.
The Neighbourhood Plan for Holwell was officially made in February 2019 following a successful referendum, with over 80% of voters in favour of using the plan.
In late 2020 a light-touch review of the plan commenced, to check that the plan was still relevant and appropriate. This Plan is the result of that review.