Parish and Neighbourhood Planning
It’s your Parish. Your views and ideas will be at the core of the plans. Please drop by and have a chat at one of the open sessions (dates and times below). Share ideas and tell us what matters to you or where there are issues that need addressing. What you say now will affect how Hawkchurch develops over the next ten years.
The Parish Council is leading consultation on both a Parish Plan and a Neigbourhood Plan. We are working together with other stakeholders such as the Village Hall and the Community Shop and as a first step will be holding two open consultations in the Village Hall on:
Sunday 26th September 12 pm – 4 pm
Saturday 2nd October 10 am – 2 pm
The Neighbourhood Plan will concentrate on land use and development, including building of houses, design aspects, transport and access for cycling and walking, protecting green space and how we care about trees for example.
The Parish Plan is more holistic and can include anything that matters to the community, such as the future of the Village Hall and Community Shop.
The Government is placing a renewed emphasis on planning at the local level because it believes that local people know best what local needs are and how they can be met.
While it has to fit within both national planning principles and the East Devon District Council’s Local Plan, if accepted the Neighbourhood Plan becomes a statutory planning document and has to be taken into account by planning officials when they make their decisions. Parish Plans do not have the same legal standing unless adopted by EDDC, but the council do encourange planners to take them into account when making decisions.
The Parish Council will use the Parish Plan to focus on the communities priorities and work with other local organisations to deliver the communities vision for the future of Hawkchurch.
Get Involved!
If you want to share your ideas, identify issues or are interested in helping with the Parish or Neighbourhood Planning please contact one of the Parish Councillors or use the form to send us a message. Thank you!