The first Birchington Neighbourhood Plan is going to referendum on Thursday 26 October. Residents will receive poll cards from Thanet District Council.
A Neighbourhood Plan is a type of planning document, introduced in the Localism Act 2011, which allows local people to have a say in the future growth and development of their community.
Neighbourhood planning gives communities and residents the power to develop a shared vision for their area.
The Birchington Plan sets out policies with the aim of preserving the unique characteristics of the village, while ensuring that future changes sustain the vibrancy of the community, help to sustain local businesses, conserve heritage and protect green spaces.
The Plan will remain in place until 2031 but will be subject to review each year by the Parish Council. Any major changes in future would be subject to further community involvement.
The Plan has been prepared following public consultation, which took place between August and October 2021. It was formally submitted to Thanet District Council on 7 December 2021.
The creation of the plan was based on extensive community engagement between 2017 and 2021. A revised version was then prepared and approved by the Parish Council on 30 November 2021. It was scrutinised by an independent examiner between June 2022 and July 2023. He recommended some modifications and these were accepted by the Parish Council and Thanet District Council. The amended Plan is known as the “Referendum Version.”
The Birchington Neighbourhood Plan helps to decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area and gives the community a voice in the planning process. This could be anything from protecting local green spaces from development to preserving local heritage and community assets.
The Plan covers topics that include:
- Conserving village character
- Guidelines for designing new development
- Heritage and conservation
- New areas of High Townscape Value
- Developer Contributions
- Green and Open Spaces
- Trees, hedgerows and landscapes
- Movement and getting around
- Agriculture
- Housing Quantity and Quality
- Support for the local businesses
- Health, Social Care and Education
- Leisure and Recreation
- Community facilities and projects
The question asked in the referendum is ‘Do you want Thanet District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Birchington to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?’
Everyone aged 18 and above has a right to vote.
For more details go to www.birchingtonpc.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning
Summaries of the plan will be available in various locations in the village
Come to a drop-in session on Saturday 21 October between 10.30am and 3pm at the
Centre, in Alpha Road and the parish council will be on hand to answer your questions
