Docking Neighbourhood Plan

Information about the neighbourhood plan for the Docking Parish

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Publication Examiner’s Report to Docking Neighbourhood Plan

The Examiners Report on Docking Neighbourhood Plan Review was published on 24 August 2026. The Examiner concluded that, subject to a series of recommended modifications, set out within the report, the Docking Neighbourhood Plan 2023-2039 meets all the necessary legal requirements and should proceed to a referendum. The Examiners report is available to view below.

View Examiner's Report (24 August 2026)

Previous stages

Revised Statement of Basic Conditions

The law around neighbourhood plans (regarding the “Basic Conditions”, the tests a neighbourhood plan needs to pass) has recently changed because of the Levelling‑Up and Regeneration Act 2023, which came into force on 25 March 2026. This means that neighbourhood plans now need to show more clearly how they deal with climate change and protection of nature.

Because of these changes, the Statement of Basic Conditions for the Docking Neighbourhood Plan was updated in June 2026, to reflect these legal changes.

Changes in Legislation and Legal Requirements, introduced through the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023

Sections 98 and 99 of the Levelling up and Regeneration Act 2023 came into force on 25 March 2026. The Act introduces new legal and basic conditions requirements for neighbourhood plans, including additional considerations relating to climate change and nature recovery.

This entailed a review and update to the submitted Docking NP Statement of Basic Conditions, which is available above.

Further Regulation 16 consultation

Following submission of the Docking Neighbourhood Plans, consultations took place under Regulation 16, initially 29 September – 10 November 2025 and a further consultation (at the direction of the examiner), from 30 January – 13 March 2026. Representation received against further Regulation 16 consultation are available below:

Examiner's 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, issued a Clarification Note in February 2026. This was a standard part of the examination process and is available for viewing below.

View Examiner Clarification Note

Full details about the statutory Regulation 16 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:

Supporting documents

All Representations in response to the Regulation 16 consultation will be made available on these pages after consultation formally closes.

Previous Regulation 16 Consultation Responses

Previous Regulation 16 Consultation responses (received October 2025) for draft Docking Neighbourhood Plan:

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.