Decision details

Broadstairs & St Peters Town Council have prepared a draft neighbourhood plan. It was published and formally submitted to the Council and has subsequently been assessed by an independent Examiner. The Examiner’s report has also been published. It supports the proposed Neighbourhood Plan, with some minor modifications, and recommends that it be subject to a referendum.

The Council has to issue a Decision Statement as to whether or not it accepts the recommendations in the Examiners report, and, if not, what actions would be necessary. The Council also has to consider whether the draft Plan meets the “basic conditions” for a Neighbourhood Plan.

The draft Neighbourhood Plan is generally supported.  There are however two minor areas, where the submitted Neighbourhood Plan does not meet the ‘basic conditions’ as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework in relation to Local Green Space designations and are not in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan for the area (as set out in the emerging Thanet Local Plan).

The two proposed Local Green Space sites (at Fairfield Road/Rumfields Road and Reading Street) were considered for inclusion in the draft Local Plan, but were not included as they do not meet the criteria in the National Planning Policy Framework. The approach in the draft Neighbourhood Plan therefore contradicts the position set out in the draft Local Plan.

It is proposed to modify the submitted St Peters and Broadstairs Neighbourhood Plan, by removing the Fairfield Road/ Rumfields Road and Reading Street Local Green Space designations, and to consult on those modifications.

Cabinet agreed that the draft Neighbourhood Plan be modified as set out in the cabinet report, and that the proposed modifications be the subject of public consultation for a period of six weeks.

To meet the “basic conditions” required in Neighbourhood Plans.

Option 2 (not Recommended) - that the Proposed modifications are not taken forward. This could potentially leave the decision open to Judicial Review, if it is considered that the proposed modifications are necessary to ensure that the draft Plan meets the “basic conditions”.