Information regarding the Watlington neighbourhood plan
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‘Making’ (adopting) Neighbourhood Plan for Watlington
The Watlington Neighbourhood Development Plan was passed at the referendum on 7 December 2023 (see below). A total of 83.4 % votes were received in favour of adoption of the Neighbourhood plan, meaning that the Borough Council is required to “make” (adopt, or bring into legal force) the Neighbourhood Plan for Watlington Parish. The Adoption Statement is available to download below:
The adopted Watlington Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019 – 2036 is available below:
Previous stages
Referendum
The community referendum for the Parish of Watlington, to determine whether the Watlington Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2036 should be made (adopted) by the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk was held on 7 December 2023.
The results of the referendum revealed that 186 votes were received in favour for adoption of a Watlington Neighbourhood Plan. The results can be viewed here.
The referendum information pack and supporting appendices are available to download below:
- Referendum Information Pack
- Appendix 1 – Watlington Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2036 referendum version, October 2023
- Appendix 2 – Examiner’s Report
- Appendix 5 – Decision Statement (July 2023)
Further details about the Neighbourhood Plan referendum on 7 December 2023, can be found on our Neighbourhood Planning referendums page.
Decision Stage
Watlington Parish Council and the Borough Council accepted all the Examiner’s recommendations that represent a material change to the Plan. The modifications proposed by the Examiner are set out in Appendix 1 of the Decision Statement alongside the Borough Council’s decision (supported by the Parish Council) in response to each recommendation and the reasons for them. The Decision Statement, issued on 16 October 2023, can be viewed below.
The Decision Statement, issued under Regulation 18A, allows the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to referendum.
Publication of Neighbourhood Plan Examiner’s Report
The Watlington Neighbourhood Plan Examiner’s Report was published on 23 September 2023. The Examiner concluded that, subject to a series of recommended modifications set out in his Report, the Watlington Neighbourhood Plan meets all the necessary legal requirements and should proceed to referendum. The Examiner’s report is available to view through the following link.
Neighbourhood Plan examination
In June 2023, the Borough Council, in agreement with Watlington Parish Council (Qualifying Body) appointed Tim Jones to examine the Watlington Neighbourhood Plan. The examination tested whether the Neighbourhood Plan fulfils the basic conditions, 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 examination concluded with publication of the Examiner’s Report on 23 September 2023.
Submission of Plan Regulation 15/ Regulation 16 consultation
Watlington Parish Council submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to the council on 27 March 2023 in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 15. On 2 May 2023 we issued the Regulation 15 (Legal check letter), allowing the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to consultation under Regulation 16.
The Regulation 16 consultation initially ran from 19 May – 30 June 2023. This was extended to 16 August 2023 on the advice/ guidance of the Plan Examiner. Representations in response to the Regulation 16 consultation (May – August 2023) may be viewed through our online portal.
The Neighbourhood Plan and other documents submitted under Regulation 15 are available below:
- Watlington Neighbourhood Plan
- Basic Conditions Statement
- Consultation Statement
- Screening SEA-HRA – signed off September 2022
- Screening SEA-HRA – final, October 2022
Supporting documents
- Evidence Base 2023
- Housing Needs Assessment, January 2022
- Ecological Report for WAT1, April 2019
- Design Codes & Guidance 2022
- Non-Designated Heritage Assessment, March 2023
- Local Green Space Assessment, March 2023
Full details about the statutory consultation (including the basic conditions) are set out in the statutory Public Notice
Regulation 14
The draft Watlington Neighbourhood Plan was consulted upon by the Parish Council between 5 December 2022 – 30 January 2023, inclusive, under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 14.
More information is available on the Parish Council’s Neighbourhood Planning web page.