BOXFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN REFERENDUM

31 October 2022

A big thank you is due to all of those who took the opportunity to cast their vote in the referendum on 27th October on the approval of the Boxford Neighbourhood Plan. I am very pleased to record that it was approved by a resounding majority for use by Babergh District Council to help it deciding planning applications in the parish of Boxford. The statistics were as follows:

Babergh District Council has now adopted the plan so it is in force for to influence the council's planning decisions which is great news. Now the Parish Council can get to work to put the plan into effect!

The formal statement of the decision to adopt the plan, including the result of the poll, can be seen here.

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BOXFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN PROGRESS - A THANK YOU AND MORE TO DO

10 February 2021

The steering group working on the Boxford Neighbourhood Plan met recently (by Zoom of course!) to review progress. Despite the restrictions of Covid 19 on movement and face to face meetings, sufficient has been achieved to embark on stage 3 of the project which is drafting the full plan. Looking further ahead, stage 4 which we hope to begin in September will see the preparation of the plan for submission to Babergh District Council whose scrutiny and examination will be the final stage 5 leading to a referendum which we are predicting for a year hence- February/March 2022.

This means that we have completed stages 1 and 2 and we wanted to thank all those we have talked to in the village and especially those who have responded to us as a result of reading the website, picking up the extracts on social media, being interviewed or simply offering views, invariably helpful and positive. It is very encouraging to sense the affection for Boxford, the pride and appreciation in its community spirit (how lucky are we to have it this last year) and the enthusiasm amongst all ages to look after its best characteristics but also to ensure its future.

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THE 2020 PLANS FOR NEW PLANNING PERMISSION LAWS IN FULL

07 August 2020

LOCAL PLANS

What are they proposing?
Under the new reforms, every local authority will have a local plan that sets clear rules for development. These will invite residents and politicians to get involved at the planning stage, with little or no say over individual developments once those plans are in place. After that, new buildings will have to meet a single "sustainable development" test that replaces existing assessments on local impact on the environment and viability.

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NEW GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER

06 August 2020

Government White Paper proposes to scrap current planning rules and allow developers to assume the right to develop on large swathes of countryside with no right for us to object.

"Race to the bottom: reform to planning system in England could be catastrophic"
Government’s dramatic building reforms likely to cut democratic input into the planning process by half.

READ ARTICLE ON THE GUARDIAN WEBSITE

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE CONSULTATION

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CATESBY WINS PERMISSION TO BUILD 64 HOUSES OFF SAND HILL DESPITE VIGOROUS OBJECTIONS FROM THE VILLAGE

16 June 2020

Boxford Society's Response:

As I am sure you all know by now but on 17th June 2020, Babergh's Planning Committee approved Outline Planning Permission for 64 houses on Sand Hill.

Andrew Good, on behalf of the Boxford Society, Roger Loose, on behalf of the Parish Council and Bryn Hurren our District Councillor put up a valiant fight against this proposal – quite difficult in the 3 minutes allocated to them. However, various factors worked against them.

The meeting was a virtual one with everyone in their own bubble. This led to a rather fractured meeting as everyone wrestled with the technology and this format did not lead to any meaningful discussion of the application itself. Most of the Committee seemed reluctant to approve – in fact no-one was even prepared to second the motion so the Chairman had to do this - they were perhaps fearful of the repercussions of rejection as Babergh has recently had to pay for two successful planning appeals that went against them.

The significant objection by Babergh's own Policy Planning Officer, which was included in the report, had obviously not been read by any of the Committee and when the Case Officer was asked to comment replied that 'policy matters are a matter of balance' and no further discussion ensued.

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