The Localism Act 2012 gave local communities the opportunity to set out locally specific policies for the development and use of land, through the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan.
Background to the Neighbourhood Plan.
At a monthly meeting on 6th November 2012 Thorner Parish Council agreed to designate the whole of the Thorner Parish as the Neighbourhood Area and took the decision to set up a working group to formulate a Neighbourhood Plan. The Local Planning Officer was informed as required.
The intention to create a Neighbourhood Plan was publicly announced via the village magazine, a new page was added to the Parish Council website, and posters advertising a public meeting about the Neighbourhood Plan were erected around the village. These steps were taken to ensure maximum community awareness and engagement. It was also deemed important that all plan activities were documented, and that information was readily accessible to the community via multiple channels.
Over the last ten years the members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group (NPSG) and the Parish Council have actively sought the views and opinions of the residents of Thorner village. No adverse comments regarding the Vision stated in the Plan have been received. Everyone wishes to keep the green spaces, maintain the community ethos and prevent unsympathetic development.
Defining the Neighbourhood Plan Area.
On 3rd July 2012, The Parish Council agreed to submit a request for a Neighbourhood Plan Area Designation to Leeds Metropolitan Borough Council. This was approved on 31st January 2013 by Leeds City Council. The Plan covers the period up to 2033.
Aim of the Plan.
The Thorner Parish Neighbourhood Plan seeks to demonstrate specific and local planning policies for the development and use of land within the Designated Area. The Neighbourhood Plan will provide a vision for future development in Thorner parish based on the views of the local community and supported by environmental, socio-economic, and demographic data.
Steering Group.
On 4th April 2013 the Parish Council welcomed volunteers to appoint a Steering Group and launch the Neighbourhood Plan. The Steering Group’s mandate was to drive the process, consult with the local community, gather evidence to support emerging policies, and deliver the Plan
Consultation Methodology
It was recognised that Thorner Parish residents had already been involved in the development of a Village Design Statement. Therefore, it was important to make sure people were aware that the Neighbourhood Plan would be more comprehensive and would have greater statutory weight than the previous design statement. The NPSG identified the need for regular communication in different formats to ensure maximum reach across the whole community.
Pre-submission Consultation on the Draft Thorner Neighbourhood Plan
After formulation the draft Neighbourhood Plan it was put out for consultation under regulation 14 of the Localism Act, to the village and statutory consultees from 19th July to 31st July 2021, a period of six weeks.
Conclusion:
The draft Neighbourhood Plan was approved subject to revision following comments from the consultees including Leeds City Council.
The plan was formally submitted to Leeds City Council on 29th March 2024 they publicised it for a further six weeks (see information below) and then forwarded it, with accompanying documents and all representations made during the publicity period, to an Independent Examiner who reviewed it (see report below) and checked that it met the ‘Basic Conditions’. The Plan successfully passed this stage and following some modifications, it is to be put forward for referendum.
The referendum question will be a straight “yes” or “no” on the entire Plan, as set out by Neighbourhood Planning Regulations. People will not be able to vote for or against individual policies. If 50% or more of respondents vote for the Plan, it will be brought into force (‘Made’) and become part of the district-wide planning policy.
"Our vision is to maintain the character of Thorner as a distinctive rural community set in a special landscape setting, conserving its rich historic and architectural heritage, and ensuring that new development reflects the qualities and characteristics that people value in the Parish.
Existing green spaces within the parish will be protected and retained for the benefit of the community, who will also benefit from enhanced pedestrian and cycle connectivity.”
Regulation 16 Stage.
The Thorner Neighbourhood Plan was submitted for independent examination.
Thorner Parish Council submitted the Thorner Neighbourhood Plan Proposal to Leeds City Council for independent examination. Under paragraph 16 of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Leeds City Council publicised the plan and sought comments from those who live, work or carry out business in the Thorner Neighbourhood Area and any consultation body referred to in the submitted consultation statement.
The consultation ran for 8 weeks from 22nd July 2024 to 16th September 2024 (closing at 5pm).
Members of the Leeds City Council Neighbourhood Planning Team were available to discuss the neighbourhood plan over the phone by appointment, please email npsuppport@leeds.gov.uk or phone 0113 37 87997 to make arrangements.
The submitted documents were:
1. Thorner Neighbourhood Plan 2024
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/01%20-%20Thorner%20Neighbourhood%20Plan.pdf
2. Consultation Statement 2024
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/02%20-%20Thorner%20NP%20Consultation%20Statement.pdf
3. Basic Conditions Statement 2024
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/03%20-%20Thorner%20NP%20Basic%20Conditions%20Statement.pdf
4. Thorner Neighbourhood Plan Area Map 2024
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/PublishingImages/04-Thorner%20Neighbourhood%20Plan%20Area%20Map.jpg
5. The SEA-HRA screening report 2024
https://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/05%20-%20Thorner%20NP%20SEA-HRA%20screening%20report.pdf
Hard copies of the Neighbourhood Plan were available for inspection at the following locations (please check websites for opening hours):
· Scholes Library Station Road Leeds LS15 4BJ
· Whinmoor Library Naburn Approach Leeds LS14 2DF
· Leeds City Council Merrion House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 8LXAlso they were available locally at the Over 60's Bungalow on Main Street.
How to make representations:
Anyone making representations could have used the online survey or send representations via email to npsupport@leeds.gov.uk.
Representations should have been submitted by 16th September 2024 (5pm).
Notification
Any representations allowed for a request to be notified regarding Leeds City Council’s decision under Regulation 19 (Decision on a plan proposal) to make the neighbourhood development plan for Thorner.
Following the end of the consultation period an examination of the above NDP had been undertaken by an Independent Examiner which resulted in the report below.
Examiner Independant Report.
Decision statement from Leeds City Council
Council and democracy