What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
A neighbourhood plan puts in place planning policy for a neighbourhood area to guide future development. A neighbourhood plan is about the use and development of land and can contain a vision, aims, planning policies and proposals for improving the area.
If approved in a referendum of local residents by more than 50% of those voting, the neighbourhood plan will become part of the statutory development plan for the area.
A robust programme of community engagement and appropriate evidence must be used to ensure that the plan is based on a proper understanding of the area and of the views, aspirations, wants and needs of local people.
The key steps on the road to the production of the Neighbourhood Plan for Belgravia were:
- Designation and approval of the area by Westminster City Council – 2014
- Consultation of local community regarding key issues
- Development of draft plan
- Public consultation on the draft plan (Regulation 14) – July 2022
- Submission of the Plan for Council approval – June 2023
- Examination of the Plan by an independent examiner – November 2023
- Referendum of local residents – February 2024
- Belgravia Neighbourhood Plan adopted by Council