Highcliffe and Walkford Neighbourhood Plan Examination
An independent examiner, David Hogger BA MSc MRTPI MCIHT, has been appointed to examine the Highcliffe and Walkford Neighbourhood Plan.
As part of the examination of the plan, the examiner must consider whether the plan meets basic conditions and satisfies legal requirements. The plan must:
- have regard to national planning policies and guidance
- contribute to achieving sustainable development
- be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan
- be compatible with European Union law and human rights obligations
- not breach the requirements of Chapter 8 of Part 6 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
The examiner will provide a review of the plan and make recommendations in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act and related regulations.
If the neighbourhood plan is supported by a local referendum, it will be used to make decisions on planning applications.
Initial Procedural letter – November 2021
The examiner wrote to us and the Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council on the 25 November 2021 setting out a number of questions to be answered both jointly and individually. We responded to the examiner on the 15 December 2021, we also attached our Basic Conditions Assessment of the Regulation 16 Neighbourhood Plan. The examiner’s letter and our response are available to view below:
- Examiner's letter
- our response to the examiner
- our Basic Conditions Assessment
- Parish Council's response to the examiner.
Second Procedural letter – January 2022
The examiner wrote a further letter to us and the Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council on the 4 January 2022 requesting that a joint Statement of Common Ground (SoCG) is prepared and submitted to him.
Examiner’s Report – July 2022
Mr David Hogger BA MSc MRTPI MCIHT issued his examination report on the submitted Highcliffe and Walkford Neighbourhood Plan on 12 July 2022. The scope of the examination is set out in paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) (‘the 1990 Act’).
The examiner has concluded that subject to policy modifications set out in his report, the plan meets basic conditions.
He has also concluded that the plan has been prepared and submitted for examination by a qualifying body and has been prepared for an area properly designated, specifies the plan period from which it is to take effect of 2020-2028, and that the policies relate to the development and use of land for a designated neighbourhood area.
The examiner has recommended that the plan, once modified, can proceed to referendum, on the basis that it has met all the relevant legal requirements.
Referendum
On 26 October 2022, Cabinet approved the Neighbourhood Plan for Referendum. This will take place on 15 December 2022.