What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
In simple terms, a Neighbourhood Plan is a framework that allows local people to deliver a balanced and sustainable future for the benefit of all who live in, work in and visit our parish. It can be used to.
- Develop a shared vision for the neighbourhood
- Choose where new homes, shops and offices should be built
- Identify and protect local green spaces
- Influence what new buildings should look like; e.g. design standards and materials
- Promote renewable energy projects such as solar and wind turbines
Why do we need a Plan in Tilehurst?
There are three main reasons;
- A Neighbourhood Plan has statutory force when it comes to planning decisions. Having an approved and adopted plan gives a community considerably more power to resist development that is unwelcome or ill-considered.
- Communities with a Neighbourhood Plan have greater access to and control over any planning and gain funding tied to local development. (formerly Section 106 funds, now known as the CIL or Community Infrastructure Levy)
- Tilehurst has for many years suffered from the lack of any coherent development without a vision or strategy for itself. As a result, the area has seen piecemeal development that has created more problems than it solved and contributed to overloading of our basic infrastructure. The Neighbourhood Plan process is an opportunity for people who live and work in the village to stop this trend by creating a shared vision and strategy for theTilehurst Parish area that cannot be ignored.
What happens if we don’t do it?
Planning decisions continue to be made by the Local Authority as they are now, where local people have little influence.
Putting the Plan together
It is estimated that the process of putting the plan together will take 18-24 months and it is the task of the Steering Committee to take the process forward, developing the programme and scope and ultimately to complete The Plan.
The Neighbourhood Plan requires continuing consultation with the community, the West Berks Council and other interest groups and stakeholders. The process involves a number of stages including:
- development of a “Vision” for the Parish
- formulation of planning policies which will apply to the future development of the Parish
- independent review of the draft Plan
- the finalisation of The Plan
- adoption via a referendum
- implementation of The Plan
Would you like to help?
A small group of volunteer residents acting on behalf of the Parish Council have formed a Steering Group and have now started working on this Neighbourhood Plan which will require consultation and engagement with the community as a whole.
The Steering Group will always happy to hear from local people who can offer some time to help with this Neighbourhood Plan. This could be to help with surveys, putting on public events, delivering leaflets, or by being able to offer professional advice and/or support on any related issue including planning, legal, financial, IT , media work etc. Please do get in touch with us if you would like to help.
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