Purpose

The purpose of this report is to set out the council’s response to the Submission consultation (Regulation 16) on the Old Basing and Lychpit Neighbourhood Plan Review (OB&L NPR). Once adopted, the Plan will become part of the statutory development plan for that area and will be used, alongside local and national planning policy and guidance, to determine planning applications.

Decision

To agree that the comments on the draft Old Basing and Lychpit Neighbourhood Plan Review (as set out in Appendix 1 of the report) and letter covering the modification statement (Appendix 4 of the report) should be submitted in response to the Submission (Regulation 16) consultation.

Reasons for the decision

The LPA’s comments (as outlined in appendix 1 of the report) and letter relating to modifications (as set out in appendix 4 of the report) are submitted to the Independent Examiner for their consideration when assessing the OB&L NPR against the Basic Conditions. The Plan is generally supported, although it is acknowledged that the LPA’s comments on the submission Plan raise a limited number of issues for the Examiner to consider in light of the national and local planning framework.

Alternative options considered

The LPA could decide not to respond to the consultation. However, this would mean the council’s representations concerning the NP would not be considered by the independent Examiner when they assess the NP against the Basic Conditions.