Published: Tuesday, 16th May 2023
Neighbourhood plans for Grimston, Pott Row, Roydon & Congham, and Watlington, are due to be published for public consultation on 19 May, ahead of an independent examination this spring/ summer.
Both plans have reached this important milestone having concluded their parish consultation and been submitted to the Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk for examination. Neighbourhood plans are developed by the local community to help guide development in their local area and are subject to a multi-stage approval process.
This current stage is a procedural consultation to confirm that the plans meet the basic conditions as set out in planning legislation. Representations are therefore being sought as to whether each of these plans:
- Have regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State;
- Contribute to the achievement of sustainable development;
- Is in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan in the area;
- Is compatible with European Union (EU) obligations and European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR); and
- Does not breach the requirements of Chapter 8 of Part 6 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (7).
The ‘basic conditions’ representations received under Regulation 16 regarding the Grimston, Pott Row, Roydon & Congham, or Watlington Neighbourhood Plans will be forwarded to an appointed examiner who will assess the plans and supporting documents and decide whether they can go forward to a referendum.
The documents can be viewed:
- On the Council’s Neighbourhood Planning web page: https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/info/20127/neighbourhood_plans
- At King’s Lynn, Gaywood and Dersingham Libraries (details and opening times available from Norfolk County Council)
- At the Borough Council’s offices: Kings Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1EX
The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Friday, 30 June 2023. Any comments made after the consultation period may be discarded. This consultation is not about likes or dislikes in the plan, it is focused on whether the plans meet the five basic conditions.
You may submit your comments:
- Via the consultation portals (Neighbourhood Planning web pages);
- By email: planning.policy@west-norfolk.gov.uk; or
- By post to: Planning Policy Team, Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn, PE30 1EX
If these plans pass the independent examination this summer, referendums will take place in the autumn of 2023. The referendum will determine whether or not they become of the planning process for those parish areas.