Deepings Neighbourhood Plan progressing well
The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan is progressing well and is on track to be completed around the end of next year, said Deepings First chairman David Shelton.
The plan covers the areas of Market Deeping and Deeping St James Parish.
“We are currently two and a half years into it and it will probably take about four years to complete,” said David, adding they were working closely with South Kesteven District Council on the plan.
“Once we have finished, it will have to be approved by the district council so it makes sense to work together,” he said.
Neighbourhood Plans look at various aspects which impact on communities including education, health and housing and cannot be produced successfully without consultation with residents and key stakeholders such as businesses, land owners and visitors.
“It basically looks at the health of the community related to the area where you live, work and play,” said David.
The plan needs to be approved by an independent examiner and it can only then be brought into force following a majority vote at referendum by residents of the Neighbourhood Plan area.
“This work is all being done by volunteers so it is time consuming and we are now getting to the stage of writing the report,” said David. “I would like it to be finished a year from now but think realistically it is still a year and a half away from completion.”
David said once the report was finished it would go out to public consultation.
Comments will then be included and a draft report will be issued for further consultation. It will then be submitted to an independent consultant for amendments and approval and only once that process is complete can it be put out to referendum.
David said they had recently employed a “facilitator” who had taken over the production of the report. “The plan has progressed quite smoothly and one of the reasons for this is due to the people involved in putting it together,” he said. “It’s on track and I’m happy with the progress so far.”