Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the report on the adoption of the Ware Neighbourhood Plan. She said that the plan designated local green spaces and contained policies that would preserve the heritage of the town. The plan also sought to provide sustainable development opportunities within the context to maintain the distinctive historical character of Ware.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that the Examiner’s report praised an excellent Neighbourhood Plan for its presentation and the supporting text underpinning the policies. She said the plan went to a referendum in September 2023 and 91% voted in favour of the plan.

Councillor Glover-Ward proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported. Councillor Dumont seconded the proposal.

Councillor Hart asked what the turnout was for the referendum.

Councillor Glover-Ward said it was a low turnout, she thought it was about 16% but would confirm outside of the meeting.

Councillor Hart said she felt that the Neighbourhood Plan was not well advertised and felt it was important to get the message out to a wider group.

Councillor Glover-Ward said she would feed back to the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

Councillor Crystall said that most of the previous Neighbourhood Plans that have come forward were for ward sized areas. The Neighbourhood Plan for large areas like Ware were going to be a challenge to reach all residents and this might reflect the lower turnout. He said the team behind the Ware Neighbourhood Plan deserved credit for this achievement.

Councillor Daar added that the turnout for Neighbourhood Plans was affected by whether there were other elections scheduled for the same day.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – That the Ware Neighbourhood Area Plan 2021-2033 be adopted.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the report on the adoption of the Ware Neighbourhood Plan. She said that the plan designated local green spaces and contained policies that would preserve the heritage of the town. The plan also sought to provide sustainable development opportunities within the context to maintain the distinctive historical character of Ware.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth said that the Examiner’s report praised an excellent Neighbourhood Plan for its presentation and the supporting text underpinning the policies. She said the plan went to a referendum in September 2023 and 91% voted in favour of the plan.

Councillor Glover-Ward proposed that the recommendations in the report be supported. Councillor Brittain seconded the proposal.

Councillor Redfern asked what the turnout was for the referendum.

The Principal Planning Officer confirmed the turnout was 16.6%. Councillor Redfern said that seemed quite a low turnout.

The Principal Planning Officer said that turnout for neighbourhood plan referendums varied, the highest turnouts for a Neighbourhood Plan referendum were about 30%. She said that there was a lot of local publicity for the vote.

Councillor Dumont said that the most important thing was that 91% voted in favour of the plan. He said this was an opportunity for residents to have their say and councillors should encourage turnout.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - to recommend to Council that the Ware Neighbourhood Area Plan 2021-2033, as detailed at Appendix A to this report, be formally made (adopted).