Village Information
Neighbourhood Plan
What is the Elford Neighbourhood Plan?
The Elford Neighbourhood Plan was a local community project, initiated by Elford Parish Council and led by a group of residents, to help the community to have more influence on the future development of Elford Parish, and to help address local issues that residents and businesses were concerned about.
The Neighbourhood Plan has now been adopted (approved by a majority of Elford residents in a local referendum), and became part of the planning system for Elford, so planning decisions in Elford have to abide by the policies of the Neighbourhood Plan.
The first stage of the neighbourhood plan project was to apply for Elford Parish to be officially designated as a Neighbourhood Plan Area, which Lichfield District Council approved in August 2015. This allowed the Parish Council to apply for funding to help with the project, to pay for things like publicity, resources and expert advice on planning matters.
In February and March 2016, the Parish Cou
ncil organised a series of meetings and discussion sessions for residents to get together to talk about a possible neighbourhood plan. All Elford residents were invited to these sessions, where we discussed what a neighbourhood plan could do for Elford, and what issues we might be able to address through one. Many different opinions, ideas and concerns were expressed, which helped to inform the broad scope of the neighbourhood plan and subsequent discussions.
A steering group of local residents (most of whom were not Parish Council members) took the project forward on behalf of the community. The steering group looked at the following broad issues, which were identified at the earlier meetings as being the main areas of concern amongst local residents.
- Local Services
- Housing
- Heritage and Conservation
- Natural Environment
- Development Management
The steering group prepared a residents’ questionnaire designed to find out in more detail what people thought about various local issues, to help inform the direction of the neighbourhood plan. The survey asked questions about issues including local services, housing, concerns around development, our heritage assets, and the natural environment. This was followed by a further housing survey.
The preparation of the neighbourhood plan was intended and required to be a democratic process, and its objective and policies should reflect the opinions and ideas of the local community as far as practically possible.
Preparation of the Draft Plan
Following the results of the survey, the steering group reviewed what the neighbourhood plan should set out to achieve. The draft vision and objectives of the plan, which were prepared following initial meetings, were worked on.
The steering group, together with their professional planning advisors, prepared draft planning policies which would influence future development in Elford. A draft plan was written, on which all residents and various statutory bodies were formally consulted. Consultation began in September 2017.
Consultation
In accordance with the 2012 Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations (Regulation 14), the Draft Neighbourhood Plan went out to formal consultation in October 2017.
Following this the Draft Neighbourhood Plan was amended by the consultants to incorporate comments submitted by consultees. Further amendments were made in April 2018 to reflect the decision to build houses on land at the Shrubbery.
The Plan went out to Regulation 15 consultation from 8th May 2018 to 19th June 2018. Read the Submission version and supporting documents here.
Examination
The Neighbourhood Plan was examined by a Planning Inspector and the Examiner's Report can be found here. The Plan was amended accordingly.
Referendum
The District Council agreed that the Plan proceed to Referendum and this took place on 29th November 2018. Details here.
Made Plan
The Plan became part of the Development Plan for the area in January 2019
See the final version of the Plan here or for more information follow this link.
Further details can be found at www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/elfordnp.