A Neighbourhood Plan is an opportunity for our village to create its own development framework based on local needs – a bit like having an individual and detailed chapter in a broader North Yorkshire Neighbourhood Plan. Bishop Monkton Parish Council is currently in the process of considering the formulation of such a plan and, at a recent meeting, set out to explain exactly what its production would entail. At the close of the meeting a short questionnaire was handed out to gauge interest.

Chaired by Dean Culshaw, Chair of the P.C., the meeting was attended by David Gluck, a Neighbourhood Planner, based in Aberforth, who has drawn up over 20 Neighbourhood Plans for North Yorkshire communities. Addressing an audience of over 50 village residents, David pointed out that everyone was there because they “cared” and that was exactly what a Neighbourhood Plan was, a document to show that parishioners cared deeply about their immediate locality and wanted to be actively involved in its future for the next five to 20 years.

The Plan would cover all aspects of village life, not just focussing on future planning development, although this would form a major section of the plan. The pressure for more housing is intensifying from both central and local Government and North Yorkshire Council last year increased its five year county-wide home building target from 1,361 houses to 4,232.

Other aspects of village life that might be contained within the plan could be concerns about flooding, infrastructure, (including drainage/sewerage) roads, loss of village character and provision of recreation facilities, as well as the protection, conservation, and enhancement of green spaces.

The Plan will be detailed and technical but must fit in with the local Plan for North Yorkshire. It will contain more locally specific depth than a county plan ever could and will cover anything that requires planning permission. Once drawn up, it will be referred to a Community Referendum, where the majority of votes cast must be in favour. The Local Planning Authority, which funds the referendum itself, is then compelled to approve the plan.

It is a lengthy, formal, prescribed process, the end result of which will be a legally recognised document. The Plan cannot stop government mandated development, but what it says must be considered and allows influence and control within its own area. It allows a community “to get ahead of the curve” and not be presented with a development about which it knew nothing and over which it is too late to exert any real influence. It is part of the Council's statutory obligations to take heed of a Neighbourhood Plan. Once it is “made”, which is the process of consultation, independent examination and referendum approval, it becomes part of the statutory development plan for North Yorkshire.

Cllr. Phil Goodier, lead of the Neighbourhood Planning Working Group of the Parish Council, outlined what would be involved in drawing up the plan, provided that it was the wish of the village that it happened. A project planning timeline would be set with visions and objectives, lengthy consultations undertaken with village residents, evidence gathered, (policies within the Plan must be based on this) professional support and advice recruited and a budget set. A sum of between £10-£15k would be required to draw up the plan, an amount which will have to be raised through individual donations, fund raising or a rise in the parish precept. There is unlikely to be any Government or Council funding available.

More information, including the questionnaire, is available on the Parish Council's website. Please click here. Completed questionnaires should be returned to Phil Goodier, please click here.

It is vital that this project has the support of the whole community.

To view an example of a 'made' Neighbourhood Plan please click here. Walton is a small village near Wetherby with a population less than Bishop Monkton

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