Northwich Neighbourhood Plan delayed until regional plans finalised

The delay in implementation has come following the recent decision by an Examiner that the Dawlish Parish Neighbourhood Plan (DPNP) should not proceed to referendum until the area's Core Strategy was in place.

The Council has decided to use the new Neighbourhood Planning regime as a means of taking forward local residents' priorities for the area, which was recommended by the planning manager for Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), according to local reports.

"The eventual target for our work in Northwich is a neighbourhood plan because this is the one that carries legal weight and legal muscle to influence planning," said councillor Derek Bowden, according to the report.

However, following the recommendation of an Examiner that the DPNP should only proceed to referendum when it is in "full conformity" with the Core Strategy, Northwich has delayed its plans.

“We’ve also learned this [Neighbourhood Plan] has to be dovetailed with the national and regional framework, and that will be produced by CWAC," said councillor Bowden.. "Dawlish, in Devon, tried to move quickly to create a neighbourhood plan but it was turned down because Devon was yet to submit its regional plan."

Bowden also told the Council of the complexity and cost that can be involved in a Neighbourhood Plan. “We have to bear in mind that within three miles of this building there are 13 parish councils and they see Northwich as their working town.”

“When we make a formal start on a neighbourhood plan the minimum time scale is two years and it’s very expensive,” he said.