Parishioners in Nettleham will continue to have a greater say in the future of the places and areas within their community after reviewing their latest Neighbourhood Plan.
The review is the updated version of the original Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan, which was produced in 2016.
Neighbourhood Plans give communities the opportunity to produce a legal document that directs development in the area, such as choosing where new homes, shops and offices are located. They were introduced in the Localism Act 2011. And is an important and powerful tool that gives parish and town councils the statutory powers to shape how their communities develop.
Nettleham is among a number of communities across West Lindsey that have put together a Neighbourhood Plan. There are currently 25 fully active Neighbourhood Plans that have been adopted across the district with the support of West Lindsey District Council and you can find out more about them on our website.
Chairman of Nettleham Parish Council, Cllr Angela White, said work first began on the review four years ago.
She said:
“Work started in March 2020 when interested councillors and residents met for the first time. John Evans, the then Chair of Nettleham Parish Council, had led the 2016 Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan.”
A working group comprised of local councillors and residents, was set up to help drive the plan forward, and although initially work was slow due to the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, good progress was made with the help of support grants and the appointment of a consultant.
John Evans, vice-chair of the working group, continued:
“We employed a consultant, Luke Brown, who suggested our first step should be a Character Assessment, which was completed in 2021.
“We concentrated on design codes for the proposed housing sites that had already been highlighted in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, preserving our green spaces, looking at buffer zones, flood prevention and environment protection, continuing our tree lined streets. We aimed for a mix of house sizes with parking space requirements.”
Once finalised, a referendum was held for adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan, and the results showed villages overwhelmingly in favour, with 94.56% voting ‘Yes’.
On Monday, 4 November, the Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan was officially presented to the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Stephen Bunney.
West Lindsey District Council’s Senior Neighbourhood Planning Officer, Nev Brown, who helps support Neighbourhood Plan submissions, said:
“We have a legal duty to support our parish and town councils with their neighbourhood plans. We help them in many ways, and this is always welcomed. At the start of the process, we outline what is involved and advise them on how to engage with their communities. While preparing their plans, we see that councils use appropriate evidence and follow regulations regarding consultation and compliance with planning law and guidance.
“We take a lead role in finalising a neighbourhood plan. In liaison with councils, we arrange for their plans independent examinations and organise their referendums and adoptions. Parish and town councils are very appreciative of the support we have given them with their neighbourhood plans.”
To find out more about neighbourhood planning, visit our dedicated web page - Neighbourhood Plan