JOINT HENLEY AND HARSPDEN NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
The Joint Henley and Harpsden Neighbourhood Plan was adopted by South Oxfordshire District Council in April 2016. This was the result of several years work by numerous residents and set out development sites in the two parishes. As South Oxfordshire District Council has a revised Local Plan, it is necessary for the Joint Henley and Harpsden Neighbourhood Plan to be reviewed. This is an opportunity to consider where it is possible to improve upon the existing Neighbourhood Plan.
The Localism Act 2011 gave local communities the statutory power to produce Neighbourhood Plans. This provides the community with the chance to create policies that will affect the location of future development.
The Neighbourhood Plan Committee is updating the 2016 Joint Henley and Harpsden Neighbourhood Plan. This will let local people have a further say in how Henley and Harpsden are going to develop until 2035.
Neighbourhood plans play an important role in deciding whether planning applications should be approved or refused.
WHY DOES IT NEED UPDATING?
The National Planning Policy Framework (para 33 NPPF February 2019) states that policies in local plans and spatial development strategies should be reviewed to assess whether they need updating at least once every five years. Reviews at least every five years are a legal requirement for all local plans (Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012). Neighbourhood plans should support the delivery of strategic policies contained in local plans or spatial development strategies; and should shape and direct development that is outside of these strategic policies. (para 13 NPPF February 2019)
The review is necessary due to the requirements set out in the new South Oxfordshire District Council Local Plan which was adopted in December 2020. This includes delivery of new homes and employment land, meeting affordable housing needs and addressing environmental issues such as air quality. If Henley and Harpsden do not review the existing Neighbourhood Plan, the District Council can decide where development should happen in the parishes, rather than residents being able to contribute to the decision.
The review provides an opportunity to improve upon the existing Neighbourhood Plan and to bring it into line with the both the Town and District Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency.
MEMBERS OF NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN COMMITTEE IN APRIL 2019
Ken Arlett – Henley Town Councillor & Chairman
Laurence Plant – Henley Town Councillor & Vice Chairman
Ian Clark – Henley Town Councillor
Glen Lambert – Henley Town Councillor
Michelle Thomas – Henley Town Councillor
Kester George – Chairman of Harpsden Parish Council
Matt Leeman – Harpsden Parish Councillor
Don Barraclough – resident
Rebecca Chandler Wilde – resident
Joan Clark – resident
Patrick Fleming – Greener Henley
Geoff Luckett – resident
Jim Munro – resident
Jackie Walker – resident
David Whitehead – resident
WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
There are five stages to the Neighbourhood Planning process, here shown with anticipated timings for Henley and Harpsden’s Neighbourhood Plan Review:
- Site options and draft policies exhibition – July 2021
- Prepare a draft Neighbourhood Plan based on the views of residents and stakeholders and the evidence gathered – July 2021 – September 2021
- Consult residents and other stakeholders on the draft plan – September 2021
- Submit the Plan to South Oxfordshire District Council for consultation and independent examination – December 2021
- Referendum on the submitted Plan (assuming it passes examination with minimal changes) – Spring 2022
Once the Plan has passed referendum it can then be brought into force and used in assessing planning applications etc.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
It is really important that local residents, businesses and organisations are involved in this process.
Exhibition of Proposed Development Sites taking place on Friday 2nd July & Saturday 3rd July 2021 10am-3pm in the Town Hall.
Please get involved online and submit your feedback to sites. If you wish to make comments on policies then please email J.Rhymes@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk