Issue - meetings

Purpose: This report provides Council with the Hungerford Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) which was submitted to West Berkshire District Council on 31 October 2024.

Council considered a report (Agenda Item 10) concerning the Hungerford Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP).

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Justin Pemberton and seconded by Councillor Stuart Gourley:

“That Council resolves that:

A)       The submitted Hungerford NDP be subject to a six-week consultation under Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

B)       Following the six week consultation, the Hungerford NDP be sent for independent examination under Regulation 17 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended).”

Councillor Pemberton introduced the report and highlighted that all NDPs were subject to consultation and independent examination, and if approved at a referendum, would carry planning weight and take precedent over non-material policies.

NDPs allowed local communities to shape future growth in their areas and protect the things that made them unique. Some of the key focuses of the Hungerford Plan included promoting sustainable growth, supporting efficiency standards for homes, promoting heritage, and fostering a vibrant high street. As the Hungerford NDP had taken seven years to reach this point, Councillor Pemberton encouraged Council to approve the recommendations and allow it to proceed to the consultation stage.

Council noted the hard work that had been done by the Steering Group, agreeing that the NDP document was well written and structured. Although suitable land for development in Hungerford was limited as a result of a unique statute, Members noted the NDP had allocated two sites for 55 dwellings to 2041, as was required by the Local Plan.

Members highlighted the vision section of the Plan, welcoming the community spirit that it demonstrated, and the policies around housing mix and play areas. They emphasised that NDPs were unique in so far as they were driven by the local community and provided individual residents the chance to contribute to shaping the future of their community. However, although they carried planning weight, NDPs could not rule out areas for development. 

In response to a point about the difficultly that small parish councils could have in producing a plan, Members were informed that councils could work together to produce a joint NDP and thereby share resources.

Council thanked the Steering Group for their work and encouraged them to continue to communicate as much as possible with residents in order to ensure that all feedback was taken on and that the plan was fully representative.

Overall, as Council were satisfied with the report, they agreed to approve the recommendations and submit the Hungerford NDP to the six-week consultation and independent examination.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.