Dec 2017, Consultation Statement
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Consultation Statement December 2017 1 1.0 Introduction and Background ....................................................................... 4 2.0 Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan and Informal Public Consultation ............................................................................................................. 5 2.1 Informal Consultation .............................................................................. 5 2.2 Community Conversations - Face-to-Face Interviews ............................ 5 2.3 Consultation Questionnaire December 2016 / January 2017 ................. 7 2.4 Community Dialogue – May / June 2017 .............................................. 12 3.0 Formal Consultation on the Glapthorn Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan – 21 August 2017 to 13 October 2017 ................................... 16 4.0 Consultation Responses to the Draft Neighbourhood Plan for the Regulation 14 Consultation 21 August 2017 to 13 October 2017. ...................... 17 Table 1 – Glapthorn Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan Formal Consultation Responses from consultation bodies ........................................ 17 Table 2 Glapthorn Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan Consultation Responses to SEA/ ........................................................................................ 86 5.0 Post Regulation 14 Consultation ................................................................ 89 2 Map 1 Glapthorn Neighbourhood Area 3 1.0 Introduction and Background 1.1 This Consultation Statement has been prepared in accordance with The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (SI No. 637) Part 5 Paragraph 15 (2)1 which defines a “consultation statement” as a document which: (a) contains details of the persons and bodies who were consulted about the proposed neighbourhood development plan; (b) explains how they were consulted; (c) summarises the main issues and concerns raised by the persons consulted; and (d) describes how these issues and concerns have been considered and, where relevant, addressed in the proposed neighbourhood development plan. 1.2 In April 2016, the Parish Council applied to East Northamptonshire Council for designation as a neighbourhood area. On the 24th June 2016 East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) designated the Civil Parish of Glapthorn as a Neighbourhood Area, under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 – Part 2(5) . 1.3 The Glapthorn Neighbourhood Planning Group was formed, and structured as a Parish Council Advisory Committee, and embarked on the development of a Neighbourhood Plan. Thirteen members of the public, including three Parish Councillors, formed the initial group. 1.4 This Consultation Statement lists the various stages in the consultation process and includes references to all the events and information that it comprised. It also contains feedback from the public in the form of analysis of the questionnaire, and analysis of comments received at the Regulation 14 stage. 1.5 Throughout the preparation of the Glapthorn Neighbourhood Plan all relevant documents were available on the parish website. http://glapthorn.org.uk/index.php/neighbourhood-plan/ 1 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/637/contents/made 4 2.0 Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan and Informal Public Consultation 2.1 Informal Consultation 2.1.1 The Draft of the GNP was prepared by building on the results of the extensive informal consultation and engagement activities undertaken. There have been three major elements to the consultation process prior to Regulation 14 Consultations: Community Conversations August / September involving face to face 2016 interviews Community Consultation December 2016 / Paper and accompanying January 2017 Consultation Questionnaire Plus, associated Call for January 2017 to March Sites from landowners 2017 Community Dialogue and February 2017 to Public Forums on results of June 2017 Questionnaire and Call for Sites culminating in two Exhibition Days and testing Exhibition Days in of Community views on May and June 2017 • vision and objectives for the Plan • draft policies for the Plan • site assessments, and • a village settlement boundary 2.2 Community Conversations - Face-to-Face Interviews 2.2.1 An initial round of face to face interviews (Appendix 1) were carried out in August/September 2016. Glapthorn contains 111 households and 82 responses were received, giving a percentage return of 74%. A full report on these conversations is available as section 1 of the Reports on Consultations on the Parish Council web-site glapthorn.org.uk 5 Are you happy about living in Glapthorn? What do you like? What could improve Like Concerns Improve Idyllic Village. Encroachment of Oundle Pavements and pathways Sense of community Fear of uncontrolled Lighting Good people development On street parking Good social life Loss of unique identity Internet Great school Fear for life and quality of life Lovely Church from ever increasing volume Safe and speed of traffic Surrounded by open Fear that we are powerless to countryside control development. Proximity to Oundle Housing 2.2.2 The interviewer was invited to ask questions in relation to housing and housing needs as follows: “Needs. What are they? Who has a need? What do you think about how we provide for the young/old/single people in the village? What are your views about design/conservation? What are your views about character and building materials?” “How can the village best contribute to the National and Regional Housing plans that request more building? With this in mind what are your views on Backfilling, Cul de sacs, and Infilling?” “What is your view about potentially altering the Village envelope to accommodate appropriate development?” Housing Responses Whilst there is a fear of over development and the loss of Glapthorn’s unique identity, there is also an acceptance that small scale development, if appropriate and complimentary, is permissible. Only 9% of respondents stated that they did not wish to see any development of housing or expansion of the village envelope. There was support for infill development and expansion of the village envelope with less enthusiasm for cul de sacs and overall opposition to backfill. A significant number of the responses were qualified by comments such as “no big estates”; “small scale”; “sensible”; “sustainable”; “maintain unique identity “ Education 2.2.3 The two Primary Schools which serve Glapthorn (Glapthorn Church of England Primary and Oundle Primary) are held in high regard. However, concern was expressed about the needs of Glapthorn C of E Primary School for a playing field, traffic calming outside the school and a drop off area for parents delivering and picking up children. Traffic and Transport 2.2.4 The community were asked about their views and needs and the absence of public transport. The volume and speed of traffic was identified as a universal concern with suggestions made about a 20mph limit, average speed cameras and traffic calming 6 for the village. Public transport was not raised for many as an issue (reflecting high car ownership). The Connect service was identified as very good and deserving of better usage and support. Facilities and Infrastructure 2.2.5 The community were asked for their views on public transport, internet, children’s play areas, young adult facilities, paths and walkways. The comments were: Internet Poor (a much-improved service is now available) Lighting Poor Shop/Pub. Nice to have. Not sustainable Pavements and Pathways need maintaining/Improving. In village, through fields and to/from Oundle/Southwick 48% in favour of Children’s play area (15% against) and 12% in favour of young adult area (10% against). Businesses 2.2.6 The community were asked for their views on whether they run a business from home? What can be done to help, and what hinders? The comments were: Better Internet needed Better road signs (Horses. Tractors) and 20mph speed limit Consideration of brownfield sites and buildings to attract & develop new businesses Issues beyond the village but within the Parish boundary 2.2.7 Specific questions were asked of the community in relation to housing development on the Oundle boundary, potential development aspirations beyond Glapthorn village, and “how do you view Glapthorn and Oundle”. The responses were: 98% in favour of maintaining separation from Oundle. This is a recurring and dominant theme No appetite for supporting development of land adjacent to Oundle Primary School or the playing field Fear that the Old Farm Lane development could be repeated causing serious encroachment between Oundle and Glapthorn. 2.3 Consultation Questionnaire December 2016 / January 2017 2.3.1 The first round of local conversations was extremely informative in guiding the creation of the Neighbourhood Plan with the high level of participation giving a good cross section of views and opinions. In order to firm up the emerging ideas and test whether they have community support when expressed as draft policies for the Neighbourhood Plan, a Consultation Document with an associated Questionnaire was distributed to every household in December 2016. (Appendix 2) 7 The questionnaire comprising three sections: Section A: Core Policies – This represented proposed core policies to determine the main content of the GNP. Respondents were requested to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with these. Section B: Where should development, if any occur? Respondents were requested to put forward sites for future development, and identify