FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?
WHAT IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
A Neighbourhood Plan is a community-led framework for guiding the future development and growth of an area. It may contain a vision, aims, planning policies, proposals for improving the area or providing new facilities, or allocation of key sites for specific kinds of development.
It relates to the use and development of land and associated social, economic and environmental issues. It may deal with a range of issues or focus on one or two that are important to the area.
Our Neighbourhood Plan will sit alongside the planning policies of High Peak Borough Council and Peak District National Park Authority for when either of these planning authorities makes a decision on a planning application in any part of Whaley Bridge.
WHY DO WE NEED ONE?
It will give us more control over the future of our area by giving local people the chance a say on what happens and influence the nature and location of any development.
We will all understand better our community's needs and aspirations.
It can increase the percentage of Community Infrastructure Levy Funding (CIL) from 15% to 25% that a Town Council receives from the Borough Council. (Although CIL has not as yet been introduced by HPBC.)
It will direct CIL expenditure aimed at Whaley Bridge so that the community gets the maximum local benefit.
WHAT AREA DOES THE PLAN COVER
The Plan covers Whaley Bridge, Furness Vale, Taxal and Fernilee.
See our Maps and Reference page or click here
WHO LEADS ON THE PLAN
Whaley Bridge Town Council is the ‘qualifying body’ leading on the Plan. A steering group was set up in September 2018 to manage the process of delivering the Plan following an informal meeting in July 2018 of interested persons
WHAT BASIC CONDITIONS MUST THE PLAN FULFIL?
The Plan will be considered by an independent examiner to ensure that they are legally compliant and consistent with these requirements. It will be voted on in a local referendum.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
We hope to complete the Neighbourhood Plan for adoption in May 2023 and for it to cover until 2032. It will need to be reviewed approximately every five years.
WHO APPROVES THE PLAN
You do!
The Plan will be considered by an independent examiner to ensure that it is legally compliant and consistent with these requirements.
You will get the change to vote on it in a local referendum.
CAN THE PLAN BE USED TO BLOCK DEVELOPMENT?
No.
Neighbourhood planning is about shaping development of a local area in a positive way. It is not a tool to be used to prevent development proposals from taking place. It should reflect local and national policies.
Neighbourhood plans are not able to promote less development than set out in High Peak Borough Council’s local plan or national guidance, but they can promote more.
A Neighbourhood Plan can be used to ensure that any development is in line with the wishes of the local people and is sympathetic to local need.
WHAT WEIGHT WILL BE GIVEN TO NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANS IN PLANNING DECISIONS?
A Neighbourhood Plan is a statutory planning document. It will form part of High Peak Borough Council’s Local Plan, and the policies within the Neighbourhood Plan will be given significant weight in decisions on planning applications.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
We've carried out public consultation so the next stage will be voting for The Plan. You can sign up to our emails in the meantime. Just go to the contact us section
AND FINALLY, WHO'S PAYING FOR ALL OF THIS?
Whaley Bridge Town Council will pay for the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan, with some government grant funding.
High Peak Borough Council will pay for the independent examination and the referendum, as well as providing technical advice and practical support.