Information about the neighbourhood plan for Walpole Cross Keys Parish
The first Walpole Cross Keys Neighbourhood Plan 2015-2026 was made (adopted) in October 2017. In 2022 the Parish Council mooted the idea of undertaking a review of the 2017 Plan. The Review culminated in submission of the replacement Neighbourhood Plan to the Borough Council in January 2025 (further details are set out below).
Latest news
Update on the Walpole Cross Keys Neighbourhood Plan Review
In June 2025, John Slater was appointed as an independent examiner for the Walpole Cross Keys Neighbourhood Plan Review. During his initial assessment, the examiner raised potential concerns that the Walpole Cross Keys Neighbourhood Plan Review process did not fully comply with certain procedural requirements as set out in the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations, especially in relation to its treatment as a review of an existing plan.
Following the examiner`s advice, and in agreement with both the Parish Council and the Borough Council, it has been decided to suspend the examination recommence the consultation process, starting again from Regulation 14. This is necessary to ensure that all statutory requirements are met and that the plan can proceed to examination with full legal compliance as set out in the Introductory Note from John Slater.
What happens next?
A revised Regulation 14 consultation will be launched shortly and will be hosted on the Walpole Cross Keys Parish Council web page. All residents, stakeholders, and interested parties will be invited to review documents and provide their comments during the consultation period.
A revised programme for Neighbourhood Plan review is set out below:
- July/ August 2025 – Regulation 14 consultation conducted by Walpole Cross Keys Parish Council and covering:
- Walpole Cross Keys Neighbourhood Plan (NP) Review (as previously submitted at Reg 15)
- Walpole Cross Keys NP Statement of Modifications (as previously submitted at Reg 15)
- Updated NP updated draft SEA & HRA screening report (the Regulation 14 consultation will alongside SEA & HRA screening, under The Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 and 2017 Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, as amended)
- Supporting documents (as previously submitted in January 2025)
- September/ October 2025 – Regulation 15 re-submission including:
- Updated NP Review (with any changes identified through Reg 14 representations)
- Updated Statement of Basic Conditions (reflecting the adopted Local Plan 2021-2040)
- Updated Consultation Statement
- Updated SEA & HRA screening report
- Supporting documents (as previously submitted at Reg 15)
- October/ November 2025 – Regulation 16 consultation led by BCKLWN
- Legal checks of submission documents
- BCKLWN Statement of Modifications
- October – December 2025 – Recommencement of Neighbourhood Plan examination, following close of the Regulation 16 consultation
- December 2025/ January 2026 – Publication of Examiner’s Report
- March 2026 – Referendum (if deemed necessary by the Examiner)
Please note the content of the Neighbourhood Plan (as previously submitted in January 2025) remains unchanged. If you have already submitted comments during previous consultations, there is no requirement to resubmit them—unless you wish to add to or amend your response.
All representations received during both the previous and forthcoming consultation periods will be treated with equal consideration and processed in accordance with the relevant statutory procedures.
We appreciate your understanding and continued engagement in shaping the future of Walpole Cross Keys.
For updates and further information, please visit: Walpole Cross Keys Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan pages.
Previous stages
Neighbourhood Plan Submission (Regulation 15)
Walpole Cross Keys Parish Council submitted their Neighbourhood Plan Review to the council on 31 January 2025 in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 15. We have reviewed the submitted documentation and can confirm this meets the requirements of Regulation 15. Please note that the examiner’s concerns relate to earlier, pre-submission stages, of the plan-making process.
The Neighbourhood Plan and other submission documents (as previously submitted in January 2025) are available below:
- Walpole Cross Keys Neighbourhood Plan (NP) Review
- Walpole Cross Keys NP Consultation Statement
- Walpole Cross Keys NP Statement of Basic Conditions
- Walpole Cross Keys NP Statement of Modifications
- Walpole Cross Keys NP SEA & HRA preliminary screening report
- Walpole Cross Keys NP SEA & HRA screening (signed-off)
Supporting documents
- Walpole Cross Keys NP Evidence base
- Walpole Cross Keys NP Design Guidance and Codes
- Walpole Cross Keys NP Views Assessment 2024
- Walpole Cross Keys NP Housing Needs Assessment
Pre-submission stage (Regulation 14)
The draft Walpole Cross Keys Neighbourhood Plan Review was consulted upon by the Parish Council during October – December 2024, under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 14.
During summer 2025, the Parish Council will re-run the first draft (Regulation 14) consultation, to ensure the Neighbourhood Plan Review fully complies with the Regulations. Once this is complete, the additional revised/ updated documents will be submitted to us, allowing the examination to re-commence (anticipated Autumn 2025).
The Parish Council’s Neighbourhood Planning web page is available to view.