Community backs first neighbourhood plan
Author: Rhiannon Bury, Inside Housing |
Local people in Upper Eden voted in favour of the plan with a 90 per cent majority last night. They were the first to take to the polls and vote on a neighbourhood plan.
The plan seeks to allow more affordable homes to be created across 17 parish areas by allowing more conversions and building on farms, and better broadband internet connections to be established.
The vote received a 34 per cent turnout.
Gordon Nicolson, leader of Eden District Council, said: ‘I am delighted that the residents of Upper Eden have decided by a significant majority to endorse the Upper Eden community plan. This is the first plan in the country. I do hope that local people will now submit planning applications and we look forward to dealing with them. That is how the communities will benefit as the housing they want will be built in places they want to live.’
Planning minister Nick Boles said: ‘This is an historic day for localism. The people of Eden have started a quiet revolution which we want to see spreading right across the country. They have had a direct say in setting out their vision for how their area should develop and deciding how they want to meet local challenges.’
The government has called on communities across the country to follow suit and put together a neighbourhood plan. The plans, if agreed at a referendum, must then be considered by the local authority when it is considering whether to approve development.
The Communities and Local Government department said more than 500 communities are making use of the new powers.
Click here to read original article.