Growing Together Neighbourhood Plan Examination

Examination of Neighbourhood Plan Proposal

On 25 July 2016 the Growing Together Neighbourhood Forum submitted the Growing Together Neighbourhood Plan proposal for examination. Northampton Borough Council published the Neighbourhood Plan proposal for public consultation between 28 July and 22 September 2016. The Plan proposal was subsequently submitted for examination in October 2016 along with supporting documentation and all comments received during the consultation period.

The Examination was conducted through written representations and the independent Examiner published his report in November 2016. The Examiner concluded that once modified to meet all relevant legal requirements the Plan should proceed to referendum. The Examiner recommended nine modifications, which were aimed at clarifying the policies to ensure that the Plan will meet the Basic Conditions and legal requirements.

The Growing Together Neighbourhood Forum reviewed the Examiner’s recommendations and subsequently presented the Borough Council with a modified plan that takes on board all the Examiner’s recommendations.

On 7 December 2016 Northampton Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed to the proposed modifications recommended in the Examiner’s Report and confirmed that the Growing Together Neighbourhood Plan, as modified, meets the basic conditions and other legal requirements. The Cabinet also agreed that the Growing Together Neighbourhood Plan, as modified, proceed to Referendum on 23 February 2017.

Regulation 18(2) of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 requires the Borough Council to publish this decision and the reasons for it (known as the Decision Statement) with respect to the Examiner’s Report and the Neighbourhood Plan Proposal.

Both the Decision Statement and the Examiner’s Report can be viewed and downloaded through the link below: