Issue - meetings

To receive recommendations that Council:

a.    Notes that the referendum for the Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan took place on 6 May 2021;

b.    As it was a successful referendum, that is ‘makes’ (adopts) the Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan; and

c.     Delegates to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning and the Parish Council Chair, the making of minor non-material changes and updates to the Referendum version of the Neighbourhood Plan (Appendix 1) to enable preparation of a final made (adopted) Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan.

Council

Agreed to

A)       Note that the referendum for the Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan took place on 6 May 2021;

B)       As it was a successful referendum, that it “makes” (adopts) the Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan; and

C)       Delegate to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning and the Parish Council Chair, the making of minor non-material changes and updates to the Referendum versions of the Neighbourhood Plan (Appendix 1) to enable preparation of a final made (adopted) Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan.

Council considered a report on the making of the Histon and Impington Neighbourhood Plan.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Denis Payne, Chair of Histon and Impington Parish Council addressed the meeting.  He said there had been challenges but acknowledged the support of the District Council throughout the engagement process, in particular, the Senior Planning Policy Officer. He thanked Parish Councillor David Jenkins who had led the Working Group, and residents, over 91% of whom who had voted in favour.

Councillor Dr Tumi Hawkins said the Histon and Impington Neighbourhood Plan area had been designated in 2014, so it had been a long journey. The Plan would create business growth and the opportunity to protect the local character of the area. She moved the recommendation.

Councillor Pippa Heylings seconded the motion, and congratulated all those involved, referring to the designation of open space in particular where it had been impacted by the works to the A14 and was to be regenerated. She encouraged all those communities working on neighbourhood plans to look at how Histon and Impington’s Neighbourhood Plan was helping to shape that regenerated green space.

Councillor Steve Hunt said neighbourhood plans were not about setting villages in stone, but aimed to protect them from the threat of suburbanisation. This was a remarkable document and a fantastically dedicated team, whom he saluted.

Councillor Heather Williams congratulated the parish council. She said one size did not fit all in planning, and this neighbourhood plan had her full support.

By affirmation, Council resolved to

A)        Note that the referendum for the Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan took place on 6 May 2021;

B)        that as it was a successful referendum, to “make” (adopt) the Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan; and

C)        Delegate to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development in liaison with the Lead Cabinet Member for Planning and the Parish Council Chair, the making of minor non-material changes and updates to the Referendum versions of the Neighbourhood Plan (Appendix 1) to enable preparation of a final made (adopted) Histon & Impington Neighbourhood Plan.