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 will publicise it for a further six weeks and then forward it, with accompanying documents and all representations made during the publicity period, to an Independent Examiner who will review it and check that it meets the ‘Basic Conditions’. If the Plan successfully passes this stage, following any modifications, it will 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.”
Submission Letter
Boundary Map