What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and deliver the sustainable development they need.

Parishes and neighbourhood forums can use neighbourhood planning to set planning policies through neighbourhood plans to determine decisions on planning applications and grant planning permission through Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders for specific development which complies with the order.

Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools for local people to ensure that they get the right types of development for their community.

The ambition of the neighbourhood should be aligned with the strategic needs of priorities of the wider local area.

Neighbourhood plans must be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the Local Plan.

To facilitate this, local planning authorities should set out clearly their strategic policies for the area and ensure that an up-to-date Local Plan is in place as quickly as possible.

Neighbourhood plans should reflect these policies and neighbourhoods should plan positively to support them.

Neighbourhood plans and orders should not promote less development than set out in the Local Plan or undermine strategic policies.

Outside these strategic elements, neighbourhood plans will be able to shape and direct sustainable development in their area.

Once a neighbourhood plan has demonstrated its general conformity with the strategic policies of the Local Plan and is brought into force, the policies it contains take precedence over existing non-strategic policies in the Local Plan for that neighbourhood, where they are in conflict.

Local Planning authorities should avoid duplicating planning processes for non-strategic policies where a neighbourhood plan is in preparation.

Is there a Neighbourhood Plan for Tollesbury?

A Neighbourhood Plan Committee has been formed to develop the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Committee are working with a Planning Consultant to help develop the Tollesbury Neighbourhood Plan.

Maldon District Council

Maldon District Council has an adopted Local Development Plan (LDP).

The plan sets out the vision and objectives for the District over the next 15 years.

The LDP outlines where and when strategic developments should take place, and will be used to guide the delivery of employment, homes, retail, community, facilities and infrastructure provision in the future.

The Plan outlines principles and criteria for all new developments, taking into account the identified needs and constraints in the District related to housing, economic prosperity, health and well-being, natural environment, built heritage, infrastructure and services.