Neighbourhood Plan

Neighbourhood Plan Review- Public Consultation

About the Consultation

A Consultation on the proposed changes to the Southwell Neighbourhood Plan was carried out between 25th July and 26th September 2023. The Proposed Changes and associated documents were published on the Town Council’s website and responses were invited either in writing / email or via an online response form.

The documents for the review were placed on the Town Council’s website with a link to the on-line questionnaire. Hard copies of the documents and the questionnaire were placed in Southwell Library and the Town Council offices in time for the start of the consultation period on 7th July 2023.

The consultation was advertised in The Bramley newspaper, published on 7th July (delivered to all houses in Southwell and District), on Southwell Community Chat Facebook Page on 14th and 28th July (4,700 members), on the Southwell U3A website on 20th July (772 members) and at the meeting of 1st August (200 members present).

It was also advertised by the Local Liberal Democrats, by Green Southwell, and by the Southwell Civic Society to all their members.

Town Council Officers emailed and leafleted all the businesses in the town and Newark and Sherwood District Council emailed a letter from the Town Council to relevant landowners and statutory Consultees as prescribed by the regulations.

Direct contact with the public was made with a stall on Southwell Market on the morning of Saturday 8 th July and with drop in sessions in Southwell Library on Tuesday 11th (evening) and Saturday 15th (morning).

Responses

In total, 63 online responses were received from respondents. Further comments were received from several landowners and/or their representatives and detailed comments have been received from Newark and Sherwood District Council.

SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION RESULTS

The 2023 Southwell Town Plan has (1) Vision (6) Objectives and (23) policies

Vision/Objective/Policy	Respondents’ comments on proposed changes:
	% *Agree*	% *Disagree*

Vision

a) Building a Strong Community – ensuring that the community is supported by a strong social structure and appropriate infrastructure.

b) Supporting a Vibrant Trading Environment – to develop the economic vibrancy of the town and its hinterland.

c) Delivering a Good Place to Live – Ensure the protection and enhancement of the natural and built environment and leisure facilities whilst allowing appropriate new development.

92.1%

7.9%

Objectives

1 To ensure that new development contributes positively to the social, economic and physical well-being of Southwell’s community and the health of the environment, locally and globally.	95.2%	4.8%
2 To effectively protect and manage the natural environment in and around Southwell to achieve sustainable development and mitigate the effects of climate change.	84.1%	15.9%
3 To ensure that all development, regardless of type or location, contributes positively to the quality of Southwell’s environment and does not detract from the town’s unique character, historic environment and landscape setting.	85.7%	14.3%
4 To ensure that all residents and visitors have safe, convenient access to services, facilities and amenities whilst minimising transport-related pollution and congestion.	88.9%	11.1%
5 To protect and enhance the range of community facilities within the town to improve the quality of life for people both living and working in Southwell.	96.8%	3.2%
6 To support residential, and other employment-supporting development that meets strategic requirements for growth and promotes a sustainable relationship between homes and workplaces, whilst maximizing the benefits for the community.	84.1%	15.9%

Policies

(Showing average % of respondents in agreement per policy topic)

Environmental (6 policies)	77.7%
Design and Heritage (3 policies)	79.3%
Transport and Access (5 policies)	78.7%
Community Facilities (proposed Policy Map change to designate areas of land around the edge of Southwell as protected open spaces.)	0%	100%
Housing and Employment (2 policies)	75.4%
Site Specific Policies(3 policies)	84.1%

What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
A Neighbourhood Plan (NP) is a policy document developed by a community and ratified by the local District Council, setting out policies and guidance about how development, such as housing and economic development, should take place in an area. The Southwell Neighbourhood Plan establishes the scale, design and type of buildings we should have, and also includes sections on Environmental policies, Design & Heritage, Transport & Access, Community Facilities and Green & Open Spaces.

It cannot cover road and traffic management, medical services or schools. Having an approved Plan gives Southwell a set of tools to use in planning for the types of development we believe are appropriate to meet our community’s needs. It also provides protection against alternative developments which may not be desirable to the local population.

It also increases the percentage of the Community Infrastructure Levy the town receives from 15% to 25%. This is collected from developers by the District Council. Since the plan was adopted, the Town has received an additional £100,000 as result.

Some examples of the use of CIL money in the town adult exercise area at the War Memorial Recreation Ground, rejuvenation of Squires Pond, new play equipment at Norwood Gardens Play Area and new co-ordinated covers for the market stalls.

Why have we reviewed the Plan?

Southwell’s original Neighbourhood Plan was published in 2016. The Plan required it to have a partial review around 2021/22. There have been many updates to both National Government and District Council planning documents. These required a review and appropriate adjustment to wordings in our NP to reflect relevant changes to these policies.

We would like to thank everyone who has responded verbally or online to the consultation.

For those individuals and organisations who went one step further and left comments on the vision, objectives or specific policies, please be assured that they have all been read and will be considered for inclusion (if appropriate) in the amended draft version currently being up-dated by the Working Group. Once that amended draft is completed, it will be submitted to Newark and Sherwood District Council and they will arrange for an independent examination to be carried out and then a referendum, before the revised Neighbourhood Plan is adopted.