Penwortham Neighbourhood Development Plan: Decision Statement

Penwortham Town Neighbourhoods Development Plan Regulation 19 Decision Statement

Decision Statement published pursuant to the Localism Act 2011 Schedule 38A(9) and Regulation 19 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

South Ribble Borough Council decided by resolution of Council on 29 March 2017 to make the Penwortham Town Neighbourhood Development Plan under Section 38A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended). The Penwortham Town Neighbourhood Development Plan now forms part of the Development Plan for the borough of South Ribble.

1. Reasons for decision

1.1 The Penwortham Town Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions and its promotion process is compliant with legal and procedural requirements.

1.2 Paragraph 38A(4)(a) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires the Council to make the Neighbourhood Plan if more than half of those voting in the referendum have voted in favour of the Plan being used to help decide planning applications in the area. The Plan was endorsed by more than the required threshold in the referendum on 9 February 2016.

2. Background

2.1 On 2 December 2013 Penwortham Town Council requested that the Penwortham Town Area be designated for the purposes of producing a neighbourhood development plan for the area. Following a six week consultation, South Ribble Borough Council designated the Penwortham Town Neighbourhood Area on 26 February 2014.

2.2 In September 2015 Penwortham Town Council published the draft Penwortham Town Neighbourhood Development Plan for a six week consultation, in line with Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

2.3 The Penwortham Town Neighbourhood Development Plan was submitted by the Town Council to South Ribble Borough Council in November 2015 for assessment by an independent examiner. The Plan (and associated documents) was publicised for consultation by South Ribble Borough Council for six weeks between 4 January and 15 February 2016 (the Local Authority publicity consultation). Mr Nigel McGurk BSc (Hons) MBA MCD MRTPI was appointed as the Independent Examiner and all comments received during the local authority publicity consultation were passed on for his consideration.

2.4 The Examiner's report concluded that, subject to modifications, the Penwortham Town Neighbourhood Development Plan met the necessary basic conditions (as set out in paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) and subject to these modifications should proceed to referendum.

2.5 A referendum was held on Thursday 9 February 2017, 90.2% of those who voted were in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan, the turnout was 15.3%. Paragraph 38A (4)(a) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended requires the Council to make the Neighbourhood Plan if more than half of those voting have voted in favour of the plan.

The Neighbourhood Development Plan, decision statement and examiner's report can be viewed:

• on South Ribble Borough Council's website
• at the Civic Centre, West Paddock, Leyland, PR25 1DH, Monday to Thursday, 8:30 to 17:15, Friday 8:30 to 16:45
• at Penwortham Town Council Offices, Kingsfold Drive, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 9EQ, Monday to Thursday 8:30 to 16:30, Friday 8:30 to 13:00.

Paper copies of these documents can be provided on request from 01772 625451 or planningpolicy@southribble.gov.uk.