WHAT IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?

Communities now have the right to produce a Neighbourhood Plan, which allows them to have a say in the future planning of their community.  Topics covered can include the protection of the countryside, heritage, housing, the local economy, design, tourism and recreation etc.  There are 30 adopted Neighbourhood Plans in Cheshire East, with many more underway.  Cranage and Twemlow Parish Councils have now successfully applied for a grant to help with the cost of producing a joint Neighbourhood Plan for the two parishes.

A Neighbourhood Plan has to be in conformity with national planning policy and the Cheshire East Local Plan, but having a plan means that planners must take into account our vision of what the future looks like, and what is appropriate for Cranage and Twemlow.

The Neighbourhood Plan will be used by planning officers at Cheshire East Council to help determine planning applications in our Parish.  This means that it must concentrate on ‘land use’ issues that require planning permission.  For example, it cannot cover issues such as speed limits, litter, or bus times.

Producing a Neighbourhood Plan involves the whole community, and at the end of the process it will be independently examined, and you will be able to vote in a referendum as to whether the plan should go forward.  When it is safe to do so, we will hold some events where the Neighbourhood Plan can be explained and discussed and further developed. 

For now though, we would love to hear your views as we start the process.  We would be very grateful if you could complete the questionnaire below. 

All responses will be kept anonymous.