Pre-Referendum materials

The Submission Neighbourhood Plan has been amended in line with the Examiners Report. You can find the amended Referendum version here
The referendum will take place on  September 16th 2021
Everyone who appears on the local government electoral register in the referendum area can vote
Further information about the referendum can be found in the Information Statement released 06/08/2021


(The previous timeline shows earlier events which have now passed)


What is Neighbourhood Planning?

Neighbourhood Planning gives communities power to develop a vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. They are able to influence where new homes may be built, have their say on what the new buildings should look like and what infrastructure could be provided. Neighbourhood Planning provides a powerful set of tools for local people to have a say in the development of their community.

Our Vision Statement

The Parish of Battle community, both in the immediate and foreseeable future, wish to create a safe and friendly environment where people want to live, work and play. This goal will be met through engagement with the local community and should directly reflect the community’s own views and aspirations. It will secure the future through the formulation of policies and objectives, which not only support sustainability, but also development that enhances and respects the unique historic nature of Battle. These strategies will pay particular attention to the ecological, agricultural, public enjoyment and intrinsic values of the Parish and its countryside.

Overview

The Localism Act (2011) introduced several new rights and powers to allow local communities to shape new development, including the provision to prepare a “Neighbourhood Plan” for their area. A neighbourhood plan can set out policies for the location of houses, shops and offices, or to set design standards for new development.
In “Parished areas” such as ours Neighbourhood Plans can only be undertaken by the relevant Town or Parish Council. Elsewhere, they may be prepared by a duly constituted “Neighbourhood Forum”.
Responsibility for preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan rests with the relevant Town/Parish Council (or combination of Town/Parish Councils if the area straddles boundaries). At the same time, the District Council will provide advice and assistance.
Like Local Plans, Neighbourhood Plans are statutory plans, the process for which is legally prescribed, and, when made, form part of the formally adopted “development plan”. All Neighbourhood Plans must be in general conformity with the strategic policies for an area (which is generally taken to be a Council’s Core Strategy or Equivalent Local Plan) as well as the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and European Legislation. As with a Local Plan, a Neighbourhood Plan will be subject to an independent examination. However, it additionally requires a local referendum to be held to ensure that the community has the final say on whether the plan comes into force or not. Any correspondence received by Battle Town Council will be forwarded to the Chairperson of the Steering Group unless a specific request is made not to.

Battle Civil Parish was designated by the District Council by resolution CB14/80 on the 13th April 2015. The area, being that of the Parish boundary is shown here. The Battle Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group has been set up and holds regular meetings. Further information from Rother District Council about Battle’s Neighbourhood Plan can be accessed here.