The Kelvedon Neighbourhood Plan can now be used when considering planning applications after it was formally adopted at a meeting of Braintree District Council’s Full Council on Monday, July 25, 2022.
Since 2015, Kelvedon Parish Council has been working on a Kelvedon Neighbourhood Plan with Braintree District Council, which sets out planning policies and allocations in a neighbourhood area and is used to help determine planning applications.
The plan went to community consultation in 2021 and then independently examined in November 2021. It went to a referendum on 3 March 2022 and was backed by 94% of those who voted.
A legal challenge was issued by developer Parker Strategic Land Ltd who sought to overturn the council’s decision to submit the Neighbourhood Plan to referendum and thereby stop the Neighbourhood Plan being adopted by Braintree District Council.
In April, a High Court Judge dismissed all grounds put forward and ordered them to pay the Council’s costs. The developer then sought to appeal the decision of the High Court, however permission was refused.
Cllr Gabrielle Spray, Cabinet Member for Planning and Infrastructure at Braintree District Council, said: “We are proud to have supported the neighbourhood plan group in reaching this milestone, which will now be used to shape future growth and development and help safeguard the character of the local area. It truly does reflect the hard work and dedication of the parish council and neighbourhood plan group have put into this plan and I would like to congratulate and thank all those involved.”
Cllr India Jayatillake, Chairman of Kelvedon Parish Council, said: “Kelvedon Parish Council are delighted to have had our Neighbourhood Plan adopted by Braintree District Council. A dedicated team of residents have worked exceptionally hard to produce the Plan and we're so grateful to them for their time and efforts. Thanks also to Braintree District Council for their support throughout the process and for enabling our referendum result to be upheld. We believe that the Kelvedon Neighbourhood Plan will be instrumental in helping to ensure that any development in Kelvedon's future will be in keeping with the existing village and will be sustainable.”
A joint statement from Kelvedon and Feering ward councillors Cllr Jenny Sandum and Cllr Paul Thorogood, said: “This is fantastic news for Kelvedon which reflects the views of the community and will guide future planning decisions for the village."
It brings the total up to six neighbourhood plans which have now been adopted in the district. Seven are currently in progress, including Feering which is awaiting publication of the final examiner report before it can go to a planning referendum.
The Kelvedon Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed here: www.braintree.gov.uk/kelvedonnp