Help Us Create a Neighbourhood Plan for Greenham Parish Council
Below is the document that I presented to Greenham Parish Council on 10th June.
Cllrs advised me that they had looked at pulling together a Neighbourhood Plan a few years ago but the main stumbling block was finding enough people to create the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.
It’s therefore logical to me, to start there and invite participation.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/neighbourhood-planning-toolkits
Please review the how to document above, complete the form and we can discuss your interest in being part of the steering group.
Thank you.
26JUNE-10 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Why We Should Upgrade Our Outdated Parish Plan to a Statutory Neighbourhood Plan
Our current Parish Plan, which is out of date, is no longer fit for purpose. While it served as a useful community wishlist, it lacks any legal power. Decisions regarding local development are increasingly driven by top-down district targets, leaving our community reactive rather than proactive. To protect our identity, secure vital infrastructure funding, and gain real control over our future, we must upgrade to a statutory Neighbourhood Plan.
The Crucial Difference: Legal Clout vs. A Wishlist
Unlike our existing plan, an adopted Neighbourhood Plan carries statutory weight. It becomes a legal component of the local development framework. Planning inspectors and the local planning authority must legally align their decisions with our specific policies on housing mix, design standards, and protected green spaces.
Furthermore, upgrading unlocks a massive financial bonus. Without a plan, our parish only receives 15% of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) from new developments. With an adopted plan, that share legally jumps to 25% uncapped, giving us the direct funding needed to improve local amenities.
Realistic Timeline to Success (according to AI)
While the process requires dedication, it is a structured, highly manageable journey. By utilizing our parish boundary, we can skip the initial 6-week designation delay and begin immediately. A realistic, legally compliant timeline looks like this:
Months 1–5: Evidence Gathering & Engagement. We establish a steering group, launch community surveys, and commission technical housing and design assessments.
Months 6–9: Drafting Policies. We write clear, robust planning policies tailored to our unique local needs.
Months 10–12: Statutory Consultation (Regulation 14). We run the legally required 6-week public consultation window and refine the draft based on feedback.
Months 13–15: Submission & Examination (Regulation 16). The District Council handles the legal 6-week publicity period and submits the plan to an independent examiner.
Months 16–18: Referendum & Adoption. Following the mandatory 28-working-day notice period, the community votes. Once approved, the plan passes into law.
Jon Davey - Clerk Greenham Parish Council
