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Neighbourhood Plan examination
In January 2023, the Borough Council, in agreement with Stoke Ferry Parish Council, appointed Andrew Matheson to examine the Stoke Ferry Neighbourhood Plan. The examination will test 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 is now underway. On 26 February 2023, the Examiner wrote to the Parish Council (Qualifying Body) and Borough Council, with a list of opening enquiries (questions), designed to allow him to better understand the intention behind plan policies and other content (e.g. supporting text), requesting a response from the Parish Council/ Borough Council by mid-March 2023. The opening questions document, Parish/ Borough Council response and other examination documents are available to view below.
- Parish/ Borough Council response to Examiner’s opening enquiries. 21 March 2023
- Examiner’s opening enquiries, 26 February 2023
- Parish Council comments on Regulation 16 representations
Other documentation will be added to this page in due course, as the examination progresses.
Previous Stages
Submission of Plan Regulation 15/Regulation 16 consultation
Stoke Ferry Parish Council submitted their Neighbourhood Plan to the council in August 2022 in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 16. On 5 September 2022 the Borough Council signed off the Regulation 15 legal check, allowing the Plan to be consulted upon under Regulation 16.
The consultation ran for six weeks from Friday 30 September 2022 until 5pm Friday 11 November 2022.
Representations in response to the Regulation 16 consultation may be viewed through our online portal. The following responses were appended to those shown on the portal:
- Borough Council (officer comments)
- Anglian Water
- Historic England
- Natural England
- Norfolk County Council
The Neighbourhood Plan and other submission documents are available below:
Full details about the statutory consultation (including the basic conditions) are set out in the statutory Public Notice.
Supporting documents
- Stoke Ferry Data Profile, February 2020
- Housing Needs Assessment, November 2020
- Stoke Ferry Design Codes, June 2022
Regulation 14
The draft Stoke Ferry Neighbourhood Plan was published in March 2022 and consulted upon by the Parish Council between 17 March – 9 May 2022, inclusive, under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Regulation 14.
Prior to publication of the draft Neighbourhood Plan, the Borough Council (on behalf of Stoke Ferry Parish Council, the qualifying body) undertook SEA/ HRA screening, including engagement with the Environment Agency, Historic England and Natural England. The completed SEA/ HRA screening report is available to view here.