Our Neighbourhood Plan came into force four years ago and the work and effort of the volunteers and our planning consultant have proved their worth with applications for over 100 new homes being turned down since then as the sites aren’t in the Plan.
The Plan runs until 2031 but over its life the strength of the policies within the Plan can reduce when planning officers weigh up all relevant factors and make their decisions on planning applications. For those of you who wish to view the existing Neighbourhood Plan click here. As explained in our February edition of Hazelbury Bryan Bytes, we have begun the process of reviewing the Plan so it regains full planning “weight” when decisions are made by Dorset Council planners. With the support and guidance of our planning consultant a new housing needs analysis has been undertaken. This shows that the sites already allocated in the original Plan, together with small in-fill developments, will meet the local need for housing until the end of the Plan in 2031.
The Plan has now been updated with minor changes to some policies and you can see this here. As part of the process, we now have to consult with statutory bodies – SSE, Wessex Water, neighbouring parish councils etc – as well as the local community. The modification statement can be seen here.
Where we need your help
You can find a pre-submission questionnaire for completion here. This outlines the key changes. Please, please take the time to complete and return it. This will give us the evidence of community support that we need for the revised Plan to be approved. We have enclosed one form, but anyone in a household can complete their own form. Simply photocopy another one or download one from the parish council website.
The form can be returned to the locations shown on page 4 or completed online at Survey Monkey – just go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HBNPR-Aug23.
The closing date for responses is Saturday 30th September 2023.
Copies of the revised Plan are available to view at the Village Hall and the Red Barn shop as well as on our website.
With your help, we hope to have the new Plan fully approved by the winter. The whole community will benefit from the Plan’s protection.
I hope you will take a moment or two to complete the questionnaire before the closing date. Thanks to you in advance.
Steve Murcer
Chairman, Hazelbury Bryan Parish Council