Wells Neighbourhood Plan Process & Documents
The Plan
The Neighbourhood Plan for Wells was submitted to Mendip District Council on 27th March 2023. Following the public consultation, which was carried out between 5th September 2022 and 11th November 2022, the plan was amended in response to the comments that were received from the statutory consultees and residents of Wells.
The policies and projects within this Plan are based on a significant body of evidence. This is made up of documents which were produced by Wells City Council as well as evidence produced by the District Council for the Local Plan.
These documents can be viewed below:
Wells Neighbourhood Plan
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 - Wells Design Guide
Appendix 2 - Masterplan - design studies and options for 3 sites in Wells allocated for housing
Appendix 3 - City of Wells Housing Needs Assessment Final Report
Appendix 4 - Local Green Spaces Assessment with illustrations
Appendix 5 - Local Heritage Assets Criteria
Appendix 6 - Tree planting guidance for planners, developers and residents
Mendip District Council Local Plan 2006 – 2029
Mendip Local Plan Part 1
Mendip Local Plan Part 2
The Consultation Process
Accompanying the Plan is the Consultation Statement which sets out how the consultation process was carried out:
Consultation Statement
Basic Conditions Statement
A Basic Conditions Statement setting out how the draft Plan meets the basic conditions must accompany the Plan when it is submitted to the local planning authority.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
In some limited circumstances, where a neighbourhood plan could have significant environmental effects, it may fall within the scope of the Environmental Assessment of Plan and Programmes Regulations 2004 and so require a strategic environmental assessment. One of the basic conditions that will be tested by the Independent Examiner is whether the making of the neighbourhood plan is compatible with the European Union obligations (including under the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive).
A screening report has been prepared for the Wells Neighbourhood Plan which concludes that a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Plan is not required.
The Basic Conditions Statement and Screening Report for the Wells Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed below:
Basic Conditions Statement
Strategic Environmental Assessment & Habitat Regulations Screening
Final Steps
The local planning authority (from 1.4.23 Somerset Council) must publicise the Plan for a minimum of six weeks, invite representations, notify any consultation body referred to in the Consultation Statement and send the Plan to independent examination.
The Independent Examiner will test whether or not the Plan meets the basic conditions and will determine whether a hearing will be required to listen to oral representation. The local planning authority then considers the report and decides whether to send the plan to referendum.
If the majority of those who vote in a referendum are in favour of the Plan, then the Plan must be made (brought into legal force) by the local planning authority.