URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2048

Decision Maker: Homes and Planning Portfolio Holder

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The draft Blacon Community Neighbourhood Plan 2025-2040 and Blacon Community Neighbourhood Development Order (“the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order”) were submitted by Blacon Neighbourhood Alliance Neighbourhood Forum (“the Forum”) to Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council (“the Council”) in November 2025.  Following a seven-week publicity period, the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order were subjected to an independent examination. The reports of the Examiner have been published and recommend that the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order, once modified, proceeds to referendum stage on the basis that they have met all the relevant legal requirements. The Council as Local Planning Authority (LPA) isrequired to consider each of the recommendations made by the reports and decide how to proceed.

Content: The draft Blacon Community Neighbourhood Plan 2025-2040 and Blacon Community Neighbourhood Development Order (“the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order”) were submitted by Blacon Neighbourhood Alliance Neighbourhood Forum (“the Forum”) to Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council (“the Council”) in November 2025.  Following a seven-week publicity period, the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order were subjected to an independent examination. The reports of the Examiner have been published and recommend that the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order, once modified, proceeds to referendum stage on the basis that they have met all the relevant legal requirements. The Council as Local Planning Authority (LPA) isrequired to consider each of the recommendations made by the reports and decide how to proceed. i)             That the Examiner’s recommendations to make modifications to the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order be accepted and that the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order will proceed to referendum in Summer 2026 be approved.   ii)            That delegation to the Head of Planning and Place Making to make any necessary minor amendments to wording or formatting in the Neighbourhood Plan and the Neighbourhood Development Order following the decision to proceed to referendum be approved. 3.1. The LPA has a duty to provide advice and assistance on Neighbourhood Plans and Neighbourhood Development Orders to qualifying bodies to facilitate neighbourhood planning (Schedule 4B Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) (“the 1990 Act”)) and to make arrangements for a referendum to take place following a favourable Examiner’s report.   3.2. The Neighbourhood Plan and the Neighbourhood Development Order have been prepared in accordance with the procedural requirements as set out in the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012/637) (as amended) (“the 2012 Regulations”). Subject to the modifications set out in the Examiner’s report, the Neighbourhood Plan and Neighbourhood Development Order are considered to meet the necessary ‘Basic Conditions’ as set out in Paragraph 8(2) of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Act and can proceed to a referendum at an appropriate time. The other option is not to proceed to referendum stage. However, without the referendum, the Neighbourhood Plan would not form part of the statutory development plan for the area and the Neighbourhood Development Order could not be brought into force.

Date of Decision: June 12, 2026