Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the Committee notes the ‘yes’ result of the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum of 3 November 2016; and

(2)  That the Committee recommend to Council that the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Development Plan (“the Neighbourhood Plan”) is made and becomes part of the Development Plan for Maidstone.

Members considered the report of the Head of Planning and Development and the Urgent Update to the report.

It was noted that the Referendum for the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Development Plan took place on 3 November 2016.  The turnout for the referendum was 33.77%, with 92.56% voting ‘yes’ to the question: “Do you want Maidstone Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Staplehurst to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”.  The total number of votes cast was 1,586, with 1,468 votes for ‘yes’ and 118 votes for ‘no’.

Members were advised that as the outcome of the referendum was a ‘yes’, the Regulations require that the Council must make (adopt) the Plan as soon as reasonably practicable after the referendum.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the Committee notes the ‘yes’ result of the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum of 3 November 2016; and

(2)  That the Committee recommend to Council that the Staplehurst Neighbourhood Development Plan (“the Neighbourhood Plan”) is made and becomes part of the Development Plan for Maidstone.

Voting:  For:  9  Against:  0  Abstentions:  0