Information about the neighbourhood plan for the Docking Parish
Latest News
Examiner issues a Clarification Note
The independent examination of the draft Docking Neighbourhood Development Plan is now underway. As part of this process, the Independent Examiner, Andrew Ashcroft, has issued a Clarification Note dated 2 February 2026. The note informs that the Examiner has completed an initial review of the submitted Plan, the supporting documents, and the representations made by the public and stakeholders so far, whilst waiting for further statutory consultee comments.
The Clarification Note is a standard part of the examination process and is available for viewing below.
View Examiner Clarification Note
Further Regulation 16 Consultation
The examination for the Docking Neighbourhood Plan Review is advancing well. However, to ensure the Plan is legally compliant, the Borough Council has concluded that it is necessary to undertake a further 6-week consultation process.
The consultation will be targeted at statutory consultation bodies. Nevertheless, anyone who did not previously comment on the draft Plan may make representations if they so wish.
Comments already received during earlier consultation period (29 September 2025 to 10 November 2025) have been passed to the Examiner and do not need to be resubmitted.
The second consultation process will run from 30 January 2026 to 13 March 2026.
Whilst this consultation is taking place, the Examiner will continue to progress the examination of the Plan. This will include reviewing the evidence base, undertaking a visit to the designated neighbourhood area of Walpole Cross Keys, and sending a clarification note. Once the consultation process has concluded the examiner may need to send a further clarification note.
Please submit your response below:
Full details about the statutory consultation (including the basic conditions) are set out in the statutory Public Notice.
The Neighbourhood Plan and its supporting documents submitted and assessed under Regulation 15/16 can be accessed below:
- Docking Neighbourhood Plan (NP)
- Docking NP Consultation Statement
- Docking NP Statement of Basic Conditions
- Docking NP SEA & HRA Preliminary Screening Report
- Docking NP SEA & HRA Screening (signed-off)
Supporting documents
- Docking NP Evidence Base
- Docking NP Design Guidance and Codes
- Docking NP Housing Needs Assessment
- Docking NP Local Green Space Assessment 2025
- Docking NP Views assessment 2025
- Docking NP Green Corridors Assessment 2025
All Representations in response to the Regulation 16 consultation will be made available on these pages after consultation formally closes.
Previous Stages
Previous Regulation 16 Consultation Responses
Previous Regulation 16 Consultation responses (received October 2025) for draft Docking Neighbourhood Plan:
- Mather Jamie Consultancy
- Representation 1
- Representation 2
- Representation 3
- Representation 4
- Representation 5
- Representation 6
- Representation 7
- Representation 8
- Representation 9
- Representation 10
- Representation 11
Submission of Regulation 15
Docking Parish Council submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to the council on 14 August 2025 in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 15.
On 12 September 2025 Borough Council issued, under Regulation 15 (Legal Check Letter), allowing the Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to public consultation under Regulation 16.
Regulation 14 Consultation
Following the formal designation of a neighbourhood area, 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 on 14 August 2025. Full details are available on Docking Parish Council’s Neighbourhood Plan web page.
Designation of the Neighbourhood Area
Docking Parish was designated as a Neighbourhood Area in December 2023.