Neighbourhood Planning Referendum Thursday, 23 May 2019

Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent Neighbourhood Planning Referendum

Neighbourhood Planning Referendum - Thursday, 23 May 2019

A Neighbourhood Plan was prepared for the Parish of Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent, and an independent examiner confirmed that the plan met the basic conditions, subject to a number of proposed modifications. A Neighbourhood Planning Referendum, to enable residents to make a decision on whether to accept the Neighbourhood Plan, took place on Thursday 23 May 2019.

At the election more than half of those voting, voted in favour of the Council using the Neighbourhood Plan for Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area.  View Declaration of Result of Poll.

What is a Neighbourhood Planning Referendum?

Neighbourhood planning is optional and aims to help local communities play a direct role in planning the areas in which they live and work. Neighbourhood Plans are prepared by town or parish councils, or neighbourhood forums. The plan can show how the community wants land to be used and developed in its area. Once a Neighbourhood Plan or order has been prepared, an independent examiner will check the plan against the basic conditions.

The Council will organise a referendum on any plan or order that meets the basic conditions. This ensures that the community has the final say on whether a Neighbourhood Plan or order comes into force. People living in the neighbourhood who are registered to vote in local elections will be entitled to vote in a referendum, which would be conducted following similar procedures to those used at Local Government elections. If more than 50% of people voting in the referendum support the plan or order, then the local planning authority must bring it into force.

Additional information on the Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent Neighbourhood Plan and other Neighbourhood Plans can be found on the Council’s website which can be accessed via this link.