Neighbourhood Plan
Bearley Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum 9 September 2021
After several years in the making, it has been announced by Stratford District Council that they have endorsed the recommendation for the Bearley Neighbourhood Development Plan to proceed to referendum. This decision followed an independent examination carried out between February and September 2020.
What happens next?
The referendum will take place on Thursday 9th September 2021.
The polling station will be at Bearley Village Hall, Snitterfield Road, Bearley, Warwickshire CV37 0SR.
A useful ‘information for voters’ guide has been produced which helps to explain the vote
Information for voters booklet_bearley neighbourhood plan
A number of documents (referred to as ‘specified document’ in Regulations) have been produced in order to help you make a decision on how to vote. The referendum version of the plan and associated documents can be viewed a number of ways:-
Online
Please visit http://www.stratford.gov.uk/bearleynp
Hard copies
Alternatively, printed versions can be viewed at a number of locations:-
Stratford-on-Avon District Council Offices, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon (normal opening hours)
Stratford-upon-Avon Library, Henley Street (normal opening hours)
Bearley Village Hall (between 31 July – 7 September) at the following times
Saturdays 10.00am – 12noon
Mondays 10.00am – 12 noon
Tuesdays 6.30pm-9.00pm
Or on request by contacting the Parish Clerk at bearleypc@outlook.com or tel 07713 280431
What is a Neighbourhood Plan?
National Planning Policy Framework has given parishes such as Bearley a greater say in planning and development in their areas. It provides a framework within which locally-prepared plans for housing and other development can be produced. The Neighbourhood Planning process enables communities to ensure sustainable development of their environment by being part of how development takes place and help influence the type, quality and location of that development, ensuring that change brings local benefits.
The framework ensures equal legal status for the Neighbourhood Plan with the Local Plan which in our particular case is the Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s Local Plan and the Core Strategy. Legal status implies that a neighbourhood plan must meet certain “basic conditions” and other legal requirements before it can come into force. Following community and public consultation at pre-submission stage the neighbourhood plan is submitted and tested through an independent examination before it can proceed to referendum. Only with the community approval at the referendum the Plan is “made”, that is its legal status is confirmed and it is in force.
A brochure entitled “Neighbourhood Plan – What are we doing in Bearley?” was put together by the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group in September 2018 to address most frequently asked questions about the Neighbourhood Plan process. It was delivered to all households in Bearley. The document provides information on the content of the plan, the timetable for the delivery of the Plan. Most importantly it describes how residents can contribute to the plan and have their opinions on the future of Bearley heard.
Please click the link below to view the “Neighbourhood Plan – What are we doing in Bearley?” brochure.
Neighbourhood Plan – What are we doing in Bearley September 2018
Please click this link here to reach the detailed information and official guidance on the key stages of the Neighbourhood Planning process and basic conditions as well as legal requirements each plan must meet before it can come into force.
More info (click to expand)
Introduction
Recent changes to planning laws have given parishes such as Bearley a greater say in planning and development in their areas. The Neighbourhood Planning (NP) process enables communities to better shape the place they work and live, to inform how development takes place and help influence the type, quality and location of that development, ensuring that change brings local benefits. The Plan will cover the period from 2019 to 2031.
A group of local volunteers called the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, working together with the Parish Council has been drafting the Bearley NP in response to these changes. Appropriate Locality and Groundworks grants have been obtained and an independent Planning Consultant is assisting with the preparation of the Plan. This will ensure residents have a greater say in the long-term development of our village and neighbourhood area environment to achieve its long-standing goals attested through the planning questionnaires and address the challenges and opportunities for the future vitality of the parish.
The community of Bearley has a strong history of local decision-making. In 2001 the community prepared its first action plan “Bearley, Appraisal, History & Action Plan – Present, Past and Future, September 2001” establishing its vision for the future. This was followed by the Bearley Village Community Plan in March 2012 which set out a vision for the future development of the community and how that might be achieved. It consolidated and documented the information obtained from the Parish Appraisal of 2001 and laid out opportunities and threats to the community. It also set out a ten-year Action Plan covering Facilities, Infrastructure, Environment and Development. The Action Plan was reviewed at the AGM on 14 May 2018 and the Parish Council is proud to record that the actions on this Plan have all been progressed.
This Neighbourhood Plan builds on the guidelines and recommendations of the previous plans, adding updates and new elements based on community consultation. The vision and policies set out in this Plan are the result of extensive evidence gathering and analysis, including a formal survey of residents robustly engaging the community, consultation workshops, independent planning assessments, public meetings and lengthy research into existing documentation.
The Bearley Neighbourhood Plan Survey of April 2015 received 152 responses: 109 (72%) from households, 43 (28%) from individual residents. It identified the facilities and services responding Bearley residents feel should be improved, expressed their desire to preserve the rural character of the parish and their determination to preserve its heritage assets. Responses to the survey show that parishioners feel that the parish needs to continue to develop, but that this should be done in a managed and controlled way. [Reference: pages 3, 13 and 14 Bearley Neighbourhood Plan Survey Results, Final report, April 2015 see https://bearley.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Bearley-Neighbourhood-Plan-Survey-2015-Final-Report.pdf ]
Following adoption following a referendum held for electors in the Parish the Bearley NP will have legal status and carry the same weight as the Stratford-on-Avon Local Plan in the determination of planning applications.
The document comprises the following major sections:
- Background and Village Character – provides detailed information on the history and current state of the village and its surroundings as well as its rural character.
- Vision and strategic objectives – explains the way in which residents would like to see the village develop in the future, based on the feedback given in consultations over the past four years.
- Policies and aspirations – details specific policies in areas such as housing, economy, the built and natural environment, infrastructure and amenities, facilities as well as community. The aspirations of the community for improvements to the village, its surrounds and furthering the community spirit.
- Appendices – provides evidence to support the proposed policies and vision.
A document entitled Neighbourhood Plan – What are we doing in Bearley September 2018 was put together in September 2018 by the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group to address most frequently asked questions about the Neighbourhood Plan process. It was delivered to all households in Bearley. The document provides information on the content of the plan, the timetable for the delivery of the Plan. Most importantly it describes how residents can contribute to the plan and have their opinions on the future of Bearley heard.
The Pre-submission Public Consultation is planned to take place with Public Consultation events at Bearley village Hall in February 2019 and the it is hoped that the Plan will be adopted before the end of 2019.
The following table illustrates are the key steps in preparation of all Neighbourhood Plans and the rigorous legal and factual compliance checks applied throughout the process.
| Key Stage | Activity |
| 1. Preliminaries | • Neighbourhood Area application to Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SDC)
• Establish funding and structure • Publicity, public consultation and questionnaires |
| 2. Plan Preparation | • Analyse evidence and create draft policies
• Carry out site assessments • Create map and diagrams |
| 3. Pre-Submission | • 6 week public consultation by Bearley Parish Council
• Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening by SDC • Modifications and amendments |
| 4. Submission | • Legal checks by Stratford-on-Avon District Council
• Start of 6 week public consultation by Stratford-on-Avon District Council • Appointment of Independent Examiner |
| 5. Examination | • Examiners report published
• Post Examination modifications • End of 6 week public consultation by Stratford-on-Avon District Council |
| 6. Referendum | • Submit referendum version of NDP
• Publicity for referendum and vote • Post referendum adoption |
For further information on key stages of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan please click on the following or copy and paste in your browser https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning–2#key-stages-in-neighbourhood-planning
Vision & Strategic Objectives
Vision
Bearley aspires to continue in being a distinctive neighbourhood, its development respecting and reflecting views of its community, developing and improving whilst retaining its distinctive rural character and protecting its green areas as well as its heritage assets thus providing an outstanding quality of life for current and future generations of residents.
The vision derives from the affirmation of the community’s views in two successive surveys namely the NP survey “A Clear Vision for Bearley” of April 2015 and the preceding Bearley Village Community Plan Survey of February 2012. Therefore, the Parish Council and the residents share and unconditionally support the same vision by:Encouraging and supporting a thriving and prosperous community that delivers a high quality of life for all its residents.
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- Recognising and protecting the distinctive rural character, heritage and history of the Neighbourhood Area.
- Supporting measured, proportionate, timely and sustainable development to meet established local needs.
- Promoting a flourishing local economy.
- Endorsing policies that have a positive effect on the environment, including those that remove or minimise flood risk, mitigate climate change, reduce our carbon footprint and minimise the impact of increased traffic.
- Working hand in hand with village institutions to ensure maintenance and enhancement of village facilities as well as identified improvements to enhance quality of life for all residents.
- Maintaining a high-quality natural environment, respecting landscape sensitivity, that preserves and enhances biodiversity and protects the green spaces.
Strategic objectives
| Housing | To promote new high-quality homes in appropriate sustainable locations that meet the established needs of the Neighbourhood Area, without compromising the distinctive and attractive setting of the village or the natural environment. |
| Economy | To promote new high-quality economic and employment opportunities in appropriate locations and encourage the retention of existing employers in the Neighbourhood Area. |
| Built Environment | To promote high-quality sustainable design, while ensuring the historic environment is preserved and enhanced. |
| Natural Environment | To safeguard our natural environment and enhance biodiversity through sensitive development that protects and enriches the landscape. |
| Infrastructure | To seek on-going improvements to transport and parking, to flood defences, to utility infrastructure and to digital connectivity, especially mobile phone reception and broadband. |
| Amenities, Leisure and Well-being | To ensure that residents have excellent local facilities and access to open spaces and wellbeing recreation, to maintain a strong, active, healthy and vibrant community to help alleviate social isolation. |
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee
Please click the link below to view the relevant document:
Agenda for Bearley NPSG Meeting 27 November 2018
Agenda for Bearley NPSG Meeting 04 October 2018
Agenda for Bearley NPSG Meeting 30 August 2018
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group Members August 2018
Joint BPC and NPSG Meeting 23 November 2017
NPSG Terms of Reference June 2015
NPC Action Timetable November 2014 to February 2015
Neighbourhood Plan Committee Members 28 August 2014
Neighbourhood Planning Committee TOR 28 August 2014
Neighbourhood Area & Maps
Please click the link below to view the relevant document:
Bearley Neighbourhood Area Application Letter
Bearley area designation confirmation
Evidence Documents
Evidence documents can be found on the page links below.
Local Service Village (LSV) Definition
Please click the link below to view the relevant document.
Local Service Village Definition
Methodology for the identification of Local Service Villages – 30.04.2013
Proposed Revisions to the Local Service Villages Methodology – 10.03.2014 The Cabinet
Proposed Revisions to the Local Service Villages Methodology – 11.02.2014 EPHP Advisory Panel
SDC Letter 03.02.2014 – LSV Status of Bearley
Questionnaires and Analysis
Please click the links below to view the relevant document.
Bearley Neighbourhood Plan Survey Cover Sheet
Reports
Please click the links below to view the relevant document.
Bearley SpeedAware Survey October 2011
Stratford-on-Avon District Special Landscape Areas Study June 2012
Bearley Neighbourhood Development Plan SEA and HRA Screening Document February 2019
SSSI designation of Snitterfield and Bearley Bushes
Warwickshire Landscape Guidelines – Arden
Stratford-on-Avon District Special Landscape Areas Study June 2012
Stratford-on-Avon District Design Guide
Stratford-on-Avon Character Map
CC01 Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Resource Assessment and Feasibility Study
Bearley NDP – SEA screening – SDC conclusion
Bearley Housing Needs Survey Report June 2017
Bearley landscape sensitivity addendum report 20.08.14
Ecological and Geological Study of Local Service Villages – July 2012
Ecological and Geological Survey of Local Service Villages Bearley
Landscape Sensitivity Assessment – Part A – June 2012
Landscape Sensitivity Assessment LSVs – Alderminster – Brailes
SHLAA Review 2012 – Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment – Jan 2013
SHLAA Review 2012 MAPS – Local Service Villages
SHLAA Review 2012 Sites Information – Appendices 1-8
Public Consultations
Please click the link below to view the relevant document.
Stratford Herald Advert for 24.01.2019 Issue
Pre-submission Consultation Poster
Bearley Pre-submission Consultation Flyer
BEARLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Pre-submission Consultation Presentation
Neighbourhood Plan – What are we doing in Bearley September 2018
Bearley Consultation Leaflet 31 October 2014
Herald advert – 30 October 2014 Issue
NP Consultation Leaflet 24 November 2014
NP Consultation Presentation 24 November 2014
National Planning Policy
Please click the link below to view the document.
Neighbourhood Plan
Important – Pre-submission Public Consultation Notice
Pre-submission consultation version of Bearley Neighbourhood Plan prepared by Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and Bearley Parish Council is posted below. The six- week Regulation 14 Pre-submission Consultation period runs from 31st January 2019 to 14th March 2019. Two Consultation Events have been arranged for the public review of the draft Plan at Bearley Village Hall on Saturday 9th February 2019 and on Saturday 16th February 2019 from 10am to 3pm with brief presentations will take place at 11am and 1.30pm. This is part of a formal six-week consultation period, to seek the views of residents, businesses, village organisations landowners and statutory consultees in our Neighbourhood Area. Copies of the Pre-submission draft of the plan will be delivered to all consultees by 31st January 2019. This is the opportunity for the community to voice your views and influence the shape and detail of the final plan which will be adopted after independent examination which will follow in due course after the Plan has been finalised and submitted for Examination.Additional printed copies of the Plan and response forms are available from the Parish Clerk on request.The Pre-submission version of the Bearley Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed by clicking on the links belowFor the page turning version please click on http://itgproduction.com/clients/onlinebrochure/BearleyNeighbourhoodplan/For the pdf version please click on Bearley Neighbourhood Plan 2019-2031 Pre-submission Consultation Version February 2019 Comments on the Pre-submission Consultation Version of Bearley Neighbourhood Plan can be made by downloading the Response Form below ARCHIVE COPY Bearley NP consultation response form (click here) and e-mailing it to np@bearley.org or posting it toNicola Everall, Parish Clerk, The Village Hall, Snitterfield Road, Bearley, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0SRThe Consultation period runs from Thursday 31st January 2019 to Thursday14th March 2019.Comments received after 5pm on 14th March 2019 will not be taken into account.
Supporting Documents
Please click the link below to view the relevant document: Bearley Village Community Plan Addendum March 2013Bearley Village Community Plan March 2012Bearley Appraisal, History & Action Plan September 2001Bearley Conservation Area Study January 1994Bearley Conservation Area Designation November 1971
