Information about the neighbourhood plan for the Marshland St James Parish
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Neighbourhood Plan Examination
In June 2025, the Borough Council, in agreement with Marshland St James Parish Council (Qualifying Body) appointed Andrew Ashcroft to examine Neighbourhood Development Plan. The examination will test whether the Neighbourhood Plan fulfils the basic conditions and that the Plan:
- Has regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State;
- Contributes to the achievement of sustainable development;
- Is in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan in the area;
- Is compatible with European Union (EU) obligations and European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR); and
- Does not breach the requirements of Chapter 8 of Part 6 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
The Examiner has produced the following documents, containing questions of clarification and information as to how he will conduct the examination. These documents are available to view below.
The Examiner has requested that the Parish Council and us respond to the points raised in his clarification note by 8 July 2025.
Once the examination is complete, the independent examiner will issue a report and a decision statement, which will be subject to a fact-checking process before being finalised. This report will set out whether the plan should proceed to referendum, and if any modifications are required.
We will continue to update these pages as the process moves forward.
Previous stages
Marshland St James Parish Council submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to the council on 11 March 2025 in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 15.
On 13 March 2025 Borough Council issued, under Regulation 15 (Legal Check Letter), allowing the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to public consultation under Regulation 16.
The Regulation 16 Consultation was open from 24 March 2025 to 12 May 2025. All Representations in response to the Regulation 16 consultation may be viewed below:
- Environmental Agency
- Historic England
- Integrated Care Systems (Norfolk and Waveney)
- JCJ Planning
- King's Lynn Drainage Board
- Norfolk County Council
- Natural England
- National Grid Electricity Transformation
- Water Management Alliance
The Neighbourhood Plan and other documents submitted under Regulation 15/16 can be accessed below:
- Marshland St James Neighbourhood Plan (NP)
- Marshland St James NP Consultation Statement
- Marshland St James NP Statement of Basic Conditions
- Marshland St James NP SEA & HRA preliminary screening report
- Marshland St James NP SEA & HRA screening (signed-off)
Supporting Documents
- Marshland St James NP Evidence base
- Marshland St James NP Design Guidance and Codes
- Marshland St James NP Housing Needs Assessment
Full details about the statutory consultation (including the basic conditions) are set out in the statutory Public Notice.
Regulation 14
Marshland St James Parish was designated a Neighbourhood Area in January 2020.
Since then, the Parish Council has led preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan for the Parish This included various preliminary consultations and public engagement, culminating in submission of the Plan in March 2025. The Pre-Submission/ Regulation 14 version is available to view.
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