Decision details

The Wilmslow Neighbourhood Development Plan was submitted to the Council in January 2019 and, following a statutory publicity period, proceeded to Independent Examination.  The Examiner’s report has now been received and recommends that, subject to modifications, the Plan should proceed to referendum.

That the Portfolio Holder accept the Examiner’s recommendations to make modifications to the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan, as set out in the Examiner’s Report, and that the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Development Plan proceed to referendum in the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan area.

The Council is committed to supporting neighbourhood planning in Cheshire East.  It has a legal duty to provide advice and assistance on neighbourhood plans, to hold an independent examination on neighbourhood plans submitted to the Council, and to make arrangements for a referendum following a favourable Examiner’s Report. 

Subject to the modifications set out in the Examiner’s Report, the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Development Plan is considered to meet the statutory tests, the Basic Conditions and procedural requirements set out in paragraph 8 of Schedule 10 to the Localism Act 2011 and as such it can now proceed to referendum.

By holding a referendum on the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Development Plan, it will enable the local community to vote on whether it should be used to determine planning applications in the neighbourhood area and bring the plan into statutory effect.

Not to proceed to referendum. The examiner has found that subject to modification, the plan meets the relevant tests and therefore there is no reason a referendum should not be held.