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Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Plan receives a ‘yes’ vote at referendum and is now 'made'.
The Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum was held on Thursday 18 July 2019. Residents eligible to vote were asked “‘Do you want Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Berkswell Parish to help it decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area?’
The referendum result showed clear support for the Neighbourhood Plan with a total of 536 votes cast in favour (94.87%), and 29 votes against. The turnout was 21.66%.
The Neighbourhood Plan was formally ‘made’ by the Council at Full Cabinet on 5 September 2019. It will now be used by the Local Planning Authority to help it determine planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area. The Decision Statement and the Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed below:
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Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Plan Referendum
Following an independent examination of the Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan, the Council has agreed that the Plan (as modified to accord with the agreed recommendations of the Independent Examiner and additional modifications / amendments by the Local Planning Authority) should proceed to referendum.
See Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Planning and Housing decision session of Thursday 30 May 2019. The referendum on the Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan took place on Thursday 18 July 2019.
Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Plan Independent Examination
The report of the independent examination of the Berkswell Neighbourhood Development Plan, prepared by Mr Andrew Matheson, was received on 9 April 2019. The Examiners report is available to view here. The report recommends that the Neighbourhood Plan should, subject to the recommended modifications, proceed to referendum.
For transparency, a summary of the representations received in response to the Regulation 16 consultation on the Submission Draft Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan and copies of correspondence between the Examiner and Berkswell Parish Council can be viewed below:
| Solihull MBC | Summary of representations received on the Submission Draft Berkswell Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan |
| Independent Examiner – Andrew Matheson | Examiner’s Opening Enquiries for Berkswell Parish Council and Solihull MBC dated 18 February 2019 |
| Berkswell Parish Council and Solihull MBC | Response to Examiner’s Opening Enquiries dated 8 March 2019 |
Berkswell Neighbourhood Plan Submission Draft
Berkswell Parish Council formally submitted its Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan to the Council for public consultation. Consultation took place from Monday 5 November 2018 until Friday 21 December 2018 before progressing to independent Examination.
The Submission Draft and other supporting information can be viewed below:
- Submission Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan
- Basic Conditions Statement
- Consultation Statement
- Table 1: SMBC Comments
- Table 2: Consultation Bodies Comments
- Table 3: Residents Comments
- Table 4: Developers and Landowners Comments
- SEA and HRA Screening Report
- Response from Environment Agency
- Response from Historic England
- Response from Natural England
- Berkswell Parish Ecological Report
- Historic Environment Summary Report
- Heart of England survey data
- Traffic survey MHL results
- Hallmeadow Road car parking survey
- Report on survey of use of park on Meeting House Lane
- Photo appendix re park on Meeting House Lane
- Planning Policy Assessment
- Issues & Options residents responses
- Business survey summary report
- Analysis of car verses household data
- Report on road blocking and pavement parking
- Consultants advice re Local Green Spaces
- Parking and traffic calming in Berkswell village
Berkswell Neighbourhood Plan Pre-Submission Draft
On 18 June 2018, in accordance with Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Berkswell Parish Council commenced consultation on their Pre-Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan.
Berkswell Neighbourhood Plan – Summary of Progress:
| Neighbourhood Area Application Submitted | March 2017 |
| Neighbourhood Area Designated | July 2017 |
| Pre-Submission (Regulation 14) Consultation | June 2018 |
| Submission | October 2018 |
| Examination | January 2019 |
| Referendum | 18 July 2019 |
| Plan ‘Made’ | September 2019 |
Further information about the Berkswell Neighbourhood Plan can be found here