Following a 'yes' vote in the referendum on 5 May 2016, West Dorset District Council officially 'made' the Loders Neighbourhood Plan on 21 July 2016.
West Dorset District Council has taken the decision to make the Loders Neighbourhood Plan (as modified in accordance with the Examiner's recommendations and modified to correct errors) part of the development plan for the Loders neighbourhood area. The Report to Council and the Adoption Decision Statement are available. In addition, the Schedule of Corrections to the referendum version of the neighbourhood plan is available.
Loders Neighbourhood Plan referendum
Following the successful examination of the Loders Neighbourhood Plan, West Dorset District Council agreed to enable the plan, as amended to proceed to referendum. The Council released a Decision Statement to this effect.
The referendum was held on Thursday 5 May 2016 across the Loders parish area. The majority of people (83.4%) who voted were in favour of the plan.
Referendum Documentation:
- a Summary of Representations submitted to the examiner
- the Examiner's Report
- the Loders Neighbourhood Plan - Referendum Draft (as proposed and amended as a result of the examination)
- the Decision Statement, which includes a statement by the local planning authority that the plan as proposed meets the basic conditions
- the Information Statement, which includes general information as to town and country planning including neighbourhood planning and the referendum
Loders Neighbourhood Plan examination
An independent examiner was appointed and issued her Examination Report on 6 January 2016 with the recommendation that the Loders Neighbourhood Plan should subject to some modifications, proceed to referendum.
As part of her examination of the plan, the independent examiner considered whether the Loders Neighbourhood Plan met various requirements including the 'basic conditions'. To meet the basic conditions, the plan must:
- have regard to national planning policies and guidance
- contribute to achieving sustainable development
- be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan i.e. the Local Plan
- be compatible with European Union law and human rights obligations
Having established that the plan met the 'basic conditions' the examiner was required to consider the area over which a referendum should be held. Her recommendation on this point was that the Loders Neighbourhood Area (equivalent to the parish of Loders) was appropriate.
Consultation on the submitted plan
The Loders Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to West Dorset District Council in June 2015.
As the local planning authority, the council was required to consult on the plan proposals before the examination took place. People were given 6 weeks from Friday 25 September 2015 until Friday 6 November 2015 to raise concerns they had about the plan with regard to the content and how it had been prepared. An independent examiner was appointed and any concerns were passed on to them for consideration as part of the examination process.
The Loders Neighbourhood Plan is available to read together with the supporting documents which are as follows:
- Loders Neighbourhood Plan Area Map
- Basic Conditions Report
- Updated Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Exercise
- Consultation Summary
- Consultation Summary Appendices 1 -10
- Consultation Summary Appendices 13 - 20
- Consultation Summary Appendices 21 -25
- Consultation Summary Appendices 26 -29
- Consultation Summary Appendices 30 - 37
- Consultation Summary Appendices 38 - 40
Additional evidence:
- Loders and Uploders Conservation Area Appraisal
- Loders Village Design Statement
- Loders Parish Survey Report, 2012
- Loders Parish Survey Report, 2012 - Appendix B
- Loders Parish Plan, 2013
- Facts and Figures Report
A hard copy of the plan is available at County Hall, Dorchester and at Bridport Library. Loders Parish Council also has copies available, the parish clerk can be contacted if you want to arrange to see them.