RESOLVED:
1. That the outcome of the Referendum of 6th May 2021, be noted; and
2. That the Cabinet recommend to Council that the New Milton Neighbourhood Plan be ‘made‘ (adopted) as part of the Development Plan for New Forest District (Outside the National Park).
REASONS FOR DECISION:
As set out in the report.
KEY DECISION:
Report to Cabinet and Full Council.
PORTFOLIO:
Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:
As set out in the report.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):
Cllr S Davies, for transparency purposes, declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item. The interest concerned his membership of New Milton Town Council who had prepared the plan. Cllr Davies concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent him from remaining in the meeting to speak and vote.
DISCUSSION:
The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and thanked New Milton Town Council and in particular Cllr Clarke for their hard work in driving forward the neighbourhood plan.
The Leader of the Council thanked the people of New Milton for coming out to vote in the referendum on 6 May 2021.
In response to a question relating to the future of neighbourhood plans in the wider context of the Government’s planning reforms, the Council awaited the final details following the Government consultation on future changes to the planning system. However, it was clear that neighbourhood planning would remain an important feature in a plan led system.