In October 2015, Georgeham Parish Council decided to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan for the Parish. The Council applied to North Devon District Council for permission to progress the Plan. This was agreed and the Parish Council became the registered lead body. Initially a sub-committee of six was set up, but it was agreed to involve as many people as possible in the process. Open Meetings have been held; surveys conducted, and written submissions from individuals and groups have been incorporated into the document you can read here today.
It has taken a long time to reach this point at which we are now asking all residents of the Parish what they think of the work so far. This is a Consultation Document. In due course it will go to the District Authority and the Inspector, and there will be a final Referendum.
Consultation deadline date extended to 31/12/18
Please make your thoughts known at this stage so that amendments can be considered before the final formal processes are conducted.
Please click the 2018 doc below to read and return all comments to: georgehamparishcouncil@gmail.com
About Neighbourhood Planning
Neighbourhood planning, introduced through the Localism Act 2011, enables communities to play a much stronger role in developing a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shaping the area in which they live and work.
Once a Neighbourhood Plan has been approved and agreed by a community referendum, it sits alongside the Local Plan prepared by the local planning authority. Future decisions on new development proposals and planning applications are made using both the Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plan.
Background
Initially, a sub-committee of six was set up, but it was agreed to involve as many people as possible from the community, especially younger representatives, in the process. This group met at intervals throughout the process. Many more joined, offering help to deliver questionnaires and most importantly, spreading information about the Plan.
To avoid confusion about the extent of Georgeham Parish – which includes the village of Croyde as well as Georgeham – it was decided to refer to the parish as The Crydda Community, named after the stream which runs through the parish.
Community Involvement
Much thought was given to promoting the project and involving as many people as possible. A website and a Facebook page were set up. In April 2016 an announcement and questionnaire were published in The Crydda parish magazine which is delivered to all residents.
Two further drop-in meetings were held in October. The first, in Croyde on 6 October, focused mainly on housing. Graham Townsend, Lead Planning Delivery Officer from North Devon Council, was guest speaker. The second, in Georgeham, was directed at local business, leisure and tourism. David Edgecombe, Projects Officer from North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was guest speaker. More than 20 people attended each meeting but it was decided to hold a second meeting for businesses, on 26 October.
In November 2016, Croyde Area Residents Association (CARA) conducted its own survey, because it’s members felt that Croyde has issues requiring specific solutions. Responses echoed those of the parish council questionnaires. A summary of the CARA survey can be found in Appendix V and the results of a Croyde property survey, also conducted by the residents association, in Appendix VI.
On 31 January 2017, a meeting was held involving Graham Townsend and members of the original group, as well as members of CARA, to review our proposed Plan and its recommendations, prior to submission to North Devon Council for independent review to ensure that proper legal process has been followed and that the plan conforms with strategic local policy.
The read the 2017 draught doc of the Neighbourhood Plan please click to view the full 25 page document here:
All enquiries and questions about the plan can be raised at our next monthly meeting or emailed in to: georgehamparishcouncil@gmail.com
