7 Neighbourhood Planning

7.1 The Council will provide support to local communities wishing to prepare or modify a Neighbourhood Development Plan or Order. The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 set out the requirements for neighbourhood plan preparation, including consultation requirements. 

7.2 Neighbourhood Plans are subject to SA/SEA and HRA screening as set out in section 2.13 and 2.14. More complex plans with site allocations are more likely to require a full SEA and HRA. Consultation on SEA/HRA will be undertaken in line with the relevant legislation. The Council offers the following general support to neighbourhood planning groups: 

  • A dedicated planning officer allocated to each neighbourhood plan group to provide support through the process;
  • Neighbourhood planning pages on the Council’s website (www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning) giving the latest information on neighbourhood plan progress in the borough and containing a toolkit with advice and guidance;
  • A dedicated email address for NP correspondence (neighbourhoodplanning@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk ), which is also used for updating groups with information and news about legislative changes and funding opportunities;
  • Advice on preparing neighbourhood area applications, consultation, evidence collecting, site allocations and policy writing;
  • Informal advice provided on early stages of the plan, such as draft versions of vision, objectives and policies;
  • Technical advice on SA/SEA and HRA
  • Technical advice on any potential impacts on the North West or Welsh Marine Plan areas
  • Advice to communities wishing to prepare Neighbourhood Development Orders or Community Right to Build Orders
  • Advice to communities wishing to modify a made Neighbourhood Plan 

7.3 There may be times when neighbourhood planning support is temporarily reduced or suspended, for example in the period leading up to and during Local Plan examinations. During the covid-19 pandemic no referendums were allowed to take place. We will ensure that neighbourhood plan groups have as much notice as possible of such periods.

7.4 Further information on the support the Council can provide at each stage of the neighbourhood planning process can be found in the Council’s Neighbourhood Planning Protocol (2022). The table below summarises the stages of neighbourhood plans, neighbourhood development orders, or community right to build orders and Cheshire West and Chester’s role in providing assistance:

Stage Cheshire West and Chester Assistance
Neighbourhood Area designation

Consult on the Neighbourhood Area designation, if this covers more than one Parish or in unparished areas. 

Consultation is not required where the proposed neighbourhood area is the same as a single parish boundary and the application is made by the Parish Council.
Early preparation of the Draft Plan or Order The Council provides informal advice where required for example on vision/objectives, evidence or draft policies, or SA/SEA and HRA screening.
Pre-submission consultation

Formal comments provided in response to the formal consultation (which is led by the neighbourhood planning group).

Guidance on producing supporting documents (Consultation Statement, Basic Conditions Statement) and checking the plan or order prior to submission.
Submission and Publicity consultation

The Council undertakes the publicity consultation in line with the regulations for a minimum of 6 weeks.

Liaise with the qualifying body where appropriate to ensure copies of consultation documents are in appropriate and accessible locations.
Examination and referendum

Appointment of an independent examiner. 

Liaises with the qualifying body on procedure. 

Liaises with the examiner to provide information for the examination, to publicise the examination on the Council’s website, to respond to any questions from the examiner and the fact check report. 

Provide advice and guidance to the neighbourhood plan group following receipt of the examiner’s report. 

The Council takes the decision on whether to send the plan/order to referendum.

Makes arrangements for the referendum, including the necessary Member approval.
Making of the Neighbourhood Plan or Order If there is a positive outcome at referendum the plan or order is 'made' by the Council.
Modification of a made Neighbourhood Plan or order Provide technical advice regarding monitoring and the modification of made neighbourhood plans or orders. The level of input will depend on the extent and nature of changes proposed.