Walkern Neighbourhood Plan First Revision

Adoption 

Walkern Parish Council has undertaken a revision of the existing Neighbourhood Plan (adopted in 2018) to bring the policies up to date.  

The Neighbourhood Plan First Revision has been formally ‘made’ (adopted) and will be used as a part of the East Herts Development Plan. It replaces the 2018 Walkern Neighbourhood Plan.  The final version of the Neighbourhood Plan and Policies Map can be viewed here: Walkern Neighbourhood Plan First Revision.

The decision statement is available here.
 

Examination

Edward Cousins was appointed to undertake the independent examination of the Walkern Neighbourhood Plan 1st Revision. Correspondence is published below.

Independent Examination documents and dates

Submission Consultation (Reg 16)

On the 12 May 2023 Walkern Parish Council submitted the Walkern Neighbourhood Plan First Revision to East Herts District Council under Regulation 15 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

A consultation took place for a period of 6 weeks from the 12 June – 24 July 2023. The responses are available to view. 

The submission documents can be viewed below. Should you require an alternative way of inspecting these documents, please call us on 01279 655261.

• The Walkern Neighbourhood Plan (1st Revision) 
• Consultation Statement
• Basic Conditions Statement
• Modification Statement 
• SEA and HRA determination decision

Please note that because this Neighbourhood Plan is a modification of the existing Walkern Neighbourhood Plan, the Parish Council is required by national guidance to set out in the Modification Statement if they consider the update is minor, material or substantial. Following this consultation East Herts Council will submit a statement to the examiner indicating whether they consider the modifications to be of material or substantial nature. It will be the examiner who makes the final decision as to whether the modifications will require a referendum. 

Representations received under Regulation 16 regarding the plan proposal will be forwarded to an appointed examiner, who will assess the plan proposal and supporting documents against the basic conditions. 

These basic conditions are:

• having regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State, it is appropriate to make the neighbourhood development plan;
• the making of the neighbourhood development plan contributes to the achievement of sustainable development;
• the making of the neighbourhood development plan is in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan for the area of the authority (or any part of that area);
• the making of the neighbourhood development plan does not breach, and is otherwise compatible with, EU obligations, and
• prescribed conditions are met in relation to the neighbourhood development plan and prescribed matters have been complied with in connection with the proposal for the neighbourhood development plan.

Pre-Submission Consultation (Reg 14)

Walkern Parish Council consulted on their Draft Neighbourhood Plan Review between 3 January 2023 and 15 February 2023. 

The Regulation 14 Consultation Draft Version can be viewed on the Walkern Parish Council’s website. 

Neighbourhood Area Designation

The Walkern Neighbourhood Area was declared a Neighbourhood Area on the 6 January 2015. The designation request and map defining the area can be viewed below:

• Designation Request
• Map of Walkern

This Neighbourhood Area Designation paragraph and links has been copied from the existing Walkern Neighbourhood Plan page. Once this para has been copied across please could you archive the page for the existing Neighbourhood Plan as this new First Revision Neighbourhood Plan replaces the existing Neighbourhood Plan.