Backwell Neighbourhood Plan
The Localism Bill, due to take effect in Autumn 2011, will give local communities the opportunity to influence the future of the places where they live by developing neighbourhood plans.
Backwell has been selected as one of the communities to trial neighbourhood planning. Backwell will receive a grant of £20000 towards the cost of producing the plan.
The plan is being promoted by Backwell Parish Council. It is being prepared by a Steering Group of parish councillors, district councillor and local volunteers. North Somerset Council is providing technical assistance and advice.
An extensive programme of consultation with the village community, and other stakeholders, is being prepared and these arrangements will be publicised when details are available.
The Council expect that a draft plan will be available in the spring of 2012. A minimum period of 6 weeks will then be available for interested parties to comment on and make representations about the draft plan. Subsequently the draft plan will be revised, and take account of the comments received. It will then be subjected to an independent examination. If approved at examination, the plan will be put to the Backwell community in a local referendum. If a majority of the votes cast are in favour of the plan, North Somerset Council will adopt the Backwell Neighbourhood Plan as the statutory planning policy document for Backwell to the year 2026.