In 2009 Brightlingsea Town Council produced a Town Plan, and after almost 10 years it needs to be reviewed. Since that time legislation has come in that allows town and parish councils to have their own Neighbourhood Plans.
The real benefit of a Neighbourhood Plan is that subject to following the process specified in the legislation the Neighbourhood Plan, unlike the ‘Town Plan’ would, on completion be adopted by Tendring District Council. In essence it allows a local community to have a greater say in planning matters. Planning applications within Brightlingsea would need to conform to both the Tendring District Local Plan and the Brightlingsea Neighbourhood Plan. We are looking to establish a steering group, as this project could take up to three years, but once finished the neighbourhood plan could have a real say in planning matters in the future. The government are producing a White Paper on Local Government Reorganisation, which will have consequences for Town and Parish Councils.
For more information please visit: https://neighbourhoodplanning.org. If you would like to have an informal chat please telephone Councillor Ben Smith, Chair of Planning, Brightlingsea Town Council, on 07565 529610.
To be involved in the Steering Committee please contact the council on 01206 303535 or email townclerk@bseatc.org.uk
Please note that meetings would be initially via Zoom and meetings in person would only commence when government guidelines allow.
