The Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development has decided to approve recommendations for the Harston Neighbourhood Plan to proceed to a referendum.

URL: https://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=12798

Decision Maker: Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to consider the conclusions of the Examiner’s Report on the Harston Neighbourhood Plan, and whether those conclusions should be acted upon and therefore that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum. This includes considering whether the examiner’s recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan should be made, and whether the Council agrees that the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions.   Cabinet agreed at its meeting on 26 July 2018 that where the examiner has concluded that the Neighbourhood Plan is legally compliant, meets the Basic Conditions (with or without modifications), and should proceed to referendum, the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development has delegated authority to make the decision on the way forward, in consultation with the Planning Lead Member.  

Content: The purpose of this report is to consider the conclusions of the Examiner’s Report on the Harston Neighbourhood Plan, and whether those conclusions should be acted upon and therefore that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum. This includes considering whether the examiner’s recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan should be made, and whether the Council agrees that the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions.   Cabinet agreed at its meeting on 26 July 2018 that where the examiner has concluded that the Neighbourhood Plan is legally compliant, meets the Basic Conditions (with or without modifications), and should proceed to referendum, the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development has delegated authority to make the decision on the way forward, in consultation with the Planning Lead Member.   That the Joint Director for Planning and Economic Development, having consulted with the Planning Lead Member, agrees: a.     that South Cambridgeshire District Council should act upon the conclusions in the Examiner’s Report on the Harston Neighbourhood Plan (see Appendix 1) and that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to a referendum as set out by the national regulations. b.     the ‘referendum’ version of the Harston Neighbourhood Plan (as set out in Appendix 2). c.     the ‘referendum’ version of the Harston Plan be given significant weight in decision making and that the area for the referendum should be the Neighbourhood Area. The Examiner’s Report on the Harston Neighbourhood Plan was received on 17 June 2025. The examiner concludes that, subject to a series of recommended modifications, the Neighbourhood Plan meets all the necessary legal requirements and should proceed to referendum. He also recommends that the referendum should be held within the neighbourhood area only.    National regulations and planning guidance for Neighbourhood Plans require that the Council considers the conclusions of the Examiner’s Report, and whether those conclusions should be acted upon and therefore that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum. This includes considering whether the examiner’s recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan should be made, and whether the Council agrees that the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions. The Council’s decision must be published in a decision statement. This report is the Council’s decision statement for the purposes of those regulations.    The Council will set a date for the referendum after the decision statement is published. Until the referendum takes place the Referendum version of the Plan will be given significant weight in decision making by the Council as stated by the government in their revised regulations. Where an examiner has concluded that the Neighbourhood Plan meets the Basic Conditions (with or without modifications) and is legally compliant, and therefore that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum, the Council has limited options in how to respond. The options are as follows:    Option 1: Act upon the conclusions in the Examiner’s Report, including making any recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan, and proceed to referendum, provided that the Council confirms that the Basic Conditions have been met.    Option 2: Take a decision substantially different from the Examiner’s conclusions, wholly or partly as a result of new evidence or fact, or a different view is taken by the Council as to a particular fact, including that the Council is unable to confirm that the Basic Conditions have been met.    Officers have concluded that Option 1 should be followed for the reasons set out in this decision statement. Officers agree with the examiner’s conclusions, including his recommended modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan, and agree that the Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to referendum. Officers have concluded that Option 2 should be rejected as there is no new evidence or fact, and officers are able to confirm that the Basic Conditions have been met (as set out in paragraph 22 in the Purpose / Background section of this decision statement).

Date of Decision: July 18, 2025