1.        PURPOSE OF REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1     The primary purpose of this report is to update the Committee in regard to the current status of the Headcorn Neighbourhood Plan examination.

2.        INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

2.1     The Committee will be aware of the difficult history of the examination of this Neighbourhood Plan as this has been reported on a number of occasions in recent months.

2.2     The Examiner appointed to restart the halted examination, Mr Jeremy Edge, was of the opinion that, given the volume of consultation responses and the diversity of issues that gave concern, it would be beneficial to hold a hearing to discuss the Neighbourhood Plan, the issues and to allow a number of different parties to respond.

2.3     The holding of a hearing is a relatively unusual occurrence with the majority of Neighbourhood Plan examinations being undertaken by written representations only.

2.4     The hearing was scheduled on Tuesday 18 October in Headcorn Village Hall, commencing at 10:00am. Three representatives from the Borough Council were in attendance along with three from the Parish Council and Steering Group, a representative from Kent County Council Education, representatives from Southern Water, and a number of developers and agents.

2.5     The hearing considered matters relating to a number of topics ranging from the Shared Vision, to Local Green Space, Housing, Water Management, and Gypsy and Travellers. There was also a large number of local residents in attendance throughout the day, even into the evening when the session ran late, illustrating the depth of local support for the Neighbourhood Plan.

2.6     Debate throughout the day and questions posed by the Examiner (Appendix A) provided a helpful starting point for the consideration of the issues. The Parish Council and Steering Group were keen to see the Neighbourhood Plan progress, and yet also understood when the Examiner expressed concerns in relation to the submitted plan policies and conformity with national policy.

2.7     Toward the end of the hearing, there was a lengthy discussion in an attempt to address those areas where there were major differences between the Borough and Parish Councils, and to try to reach some common ground. In the majority of instances, this was successful, although the Gypsy and Traveller matter could not be agreed upon and was referred back to the Examiner to adjudicate in his report.

2.8     Following the conclusion of the hearing, the Examiner advised that he will need approximately three to four weeks to reach his conclusions on whether the Neighbourhood Plan is suitable to go to referendum as it is, or whether further modifications are required. Given the significant changes suggested and agreed during the hearing, it is highly likely that a further round of consultation will need to take place before any referendum can be held.

2.9     Once the Examiner’s findings are published, a further report will be brought to the Committee for consideration, outlining the Examiner’s findings.

3.        AVAILABLE OPTIONS

3.1     The Committee is requested to note the contents of the report and to note that a future report will be brought to the Committee once the Examiner publishes his findings.

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1     The Committee is requested to note the report as set out at 3.1.

5.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

5.1    The Neighbourhood Plan has been reported to the Committee on a number of previous occasions. Any discussion or recommendations have been noted and taken on board.

6.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

1.1             Subject to the Examiner’s findings, a further report will be brought making recommendations about the next steps. This could be seeking approval for a further consultation, modifications or referendum, depending on the outcomes of the examination.

6.1     

7.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

8.        REPORT APPENDICES

Appendix A: Headcorn Neighbourhood Plan Hearing Agenda and Questions.

9.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

There are none