Newsletter 2

CHESIL BANK PARISH COUNCIL NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN PROJECT NEWSLETTER Number Two What is a Neighbourhood Plan? Neighbourhood Plans were introduced by the government in the Localism Act 2011 and aim to give residents more say in the future use of land and buildings in their area. For example, amongst other things, our plan can say where new homes, shops or offices might be built, identify local social, economic and environmental issues, how important green spaces might be protected and what sort of community services are seen as priority needs for the parish. Once produced, it will require independent examination, consultation with Dorset Council, and if approved and supported by a local referendum, it will be used in conjunction with the Dorset Council’s Local Plan and the UK’s National Planning Policy Framework legislation to make decisions on planning applications. If you would like more information on the project, or help with completing surveys, please contact your village representative; their contact details are shown at the end of this newsletter. Regular updates on progress with the project are also available on our website: www.vision4chesil.org . If you would like updates or surveys via e-mail please let your village representative know. The CB PC has also agreed that when the Internet Café in Portesham Village Hall is open, they will provide free help and support for completing surveys if required, on the 2nd and 4th Thursday, 10-12pm. 2 Timescales for the Project: The project formally started on the 1st April 2019, following a successful bid for national funding to undertake the work, and it will probably take around two years to complete. The final published plan is expected to last ten years, and once approved, will be reviewed regularly to ensure it is still relevant and appropriate for the Parish. How are we doing this? ü We have set up a Steering Group which includes parish councillors and village community representatives; this meets regularly to review progress, decide on next steps and agree direction for the project . ü We have developed a communications strategy to update the community on progress to date, to publicise key events and to seek comments on key areas for consideration in the plan; this includes developing a website, publishing regular newsletters , holding regular project team meetings, providing regular updates at parish council meetings, attending local community meetings/events and holding village community workshops. ü We have been successful in getting national funding for the first year of the project; our initial bid for just under £7500 has now been approved, and we are eligible for further funding in 2020 to cover our costs to complete the project by early 2021. ü We have agreed the topic areas that would be included in the major surveys and published the first survey with this newsletter which is due back by the 18th November. We anticipate undertaking a rolling programme of surveys over the next twelve months to create the plan, and the first survey is seen as a crucial input to the Neighbourhood Plan. ü We have also engaged a specialist and experienced planning consultant funded through our grant to help us develop the plan.