Decision details

The Council is currently running a public consultation (Regulation 16) on the Birchington Neighbourhood Plan. This is the last chance for comments to be made on the plan before it is examined by an Independent Examiner.

Cabinet are asked to agree the Council’s  formal response on the Birchington Neighbourhood Plan.

That the comments in Annex 1 to the cabinet report are approved as the Council’s formal response to the Birchington Neighbourhood Plan.

Cabinet considered the comments that were recommended as the Council’s formal response to the consultation.  Members were advised that if the Council decided not to respond to this consultation, additional modifications may be needed after the Examination, other than those recommended by the Examiner, in order for the Neighbourhood Plan to be able to proceed to referendum. Those changes would require further public consultation and possibly a second Examination.

That the comments are amended before being submitted as the Council's formal response to the Regulation 16 Consultation. No amendments were suggested.

That the Council does not respond to the Regulation 16 Consultation.  If the Council chooses not to respond to the Regulation 16 Consultation, there is a risk that additional modifications will be considered necessary after the Examination and the receipt of the Examiners Report.  This alternative was therefore not recommended.