NEWNHAM PARISH COUNCIL

 

Chairman:         Sue Gunner

                        Farthing Cottage

                        50 The Street

                        Newnham

                        ME9 0LL

Tel. No:  01795 890627

e-mail: sgunner@madasafish.com

 

                           February 2011

To All Newnham Residents

 

Dear Neighbour,

Re: Neighbourhood Plan

 

You may be aware that the new Localism Bill was published by the Coalition Government on 13th December 2010 and represents the most radical shift in power since town and country planning was first born in the aftermath of World War Two.  The bill is long and complex but at its heart are four powers that will fundamentally change the role of parish councils; these are:

 

·         New freedoms and flexibilities for local government

·         New rights and powers for communities and individuals

·         Reform to make the planning system more democratic and more effective

·         Reform to ensure that decisions about housing are taken locally

 

In short, both you as residents and our Parish Council will, should the Bill be passed by Parliament, have the opportunity to play a core role in the planning system.  Not just as a consultee but as a plan maker and decision taker on planning matters.

 

Those of you who were living in the village some years ago will remember the production of the Newnham Village Appraisal.  This was collated and produced by a group of volunteers and parish councillors.  A Neighbourhood Plan is a similar but more important document that states the views and desires of how the community would like their area to be maintained with regard to all development and planning matters and provide a benchmark that would help guide our response to any future developments.

 

Newnham Parish Council would like to, with your help, begin the production of our own Neighbourhood Plan and would request volunteers to come forward.  The finished plan has to be aligned to the Core Strategy plan of Swale Borough Council and help from their representatives will be available.

 

If you feel strongly about your village and surrounding area and feel able to assist with the work involved in producing our own Neighbourhood Plan please contact myself or your nearest Councillor.

 

This subject will be under discussion at our monthly meetings to which you are always welcome to attend.  A special meeting of volunteers will be organized at a later date, when it is hoped to have a representative from Swale Borough Council to advise and answer any questions.

 

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of Newnham Parish Council

 

N.B. Should you wish to read part of the Localism Bill, it can be viewed on the Internet at the following address:  http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/localismbill/  - it is a very long document but clicking on the heading for Neighbourhood Plan will give you the basic information.  However, enclosed with this letter is a short synopsis which may help initially.