Issue - meetings

This report considers the Council’s response to the Draft Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Plan that was published for consultation between 9 September 2024 and 27 October 2024 under Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

The Draft Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared by the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Forum and the Council is a statutory consultee. Once formally ‘made’, a neighbourhood plan becomes part of the boroughs statutory development plan and will therefore be used in the determination planning applications in the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Forum Area.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve the Councils response to the Draft Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Plan set out in Appendix 3 that is currently subject to public consultation under Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

The Committee received a report considering the Council’s response to the Draft Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Plan that was published for consultation between 9 September 2024 and 27 October 2024 under Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

The Draft Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared by the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Forum and the Council is a statutory consultee. Once formally ‘made’, a neighbourhood plan becomes part of the boroughs statutory development plan and will therefore be used in the determination planning applications in the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Forum Area.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Neighbourhood Forum. A Member of the Committee expressed their admiration to all those involved with the creation of the Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood plan, and recognised the time and effort that went into getting to the stage it is currently at. The Member also noted that this is the first Neighbourhood Plan in Epsom and Ewell and commended the endeavour to have a say in the local development of the area. The Member stated that the draft response is reasonable and constructive. The Planning Policy Manager extended their thanks to the members of the Neighbourhood Forum and informed the Committee that they have been great to work with. The Chair commended the residents involved in the Neighbourhood Plan and highlighted all the work that has gone into the document attached at Appendix 1. Another Member of the Committee echoed the comments made.  

b)            Referendum. A Member of the Committee asked how the referendum is funded and what the percentage needs to be for the Plan to be adopted. The Planning Policy Manager informed the Committee that over 50% of those voting needs to agree to adopt the plan for it to be successful. The Planning Policy Manager explained that the question posed to residents of Stoneleigh and Auriol would be, Do you want Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Stoneleigh and Auriol to decide planning applications in the area, and then residents can vote yes or no. The Planning Policy Manager informed the Committee that the Council would cover the cost of the referendum but would be able to apply for Central Government Grants once that stage is reached.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve the Councils response to the Draft Stoneleigh and Auriol Neighbourhood Plan set out in Appendix 3 that is currently subject to public consultation under Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.