Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan

The Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green 2022-2039 was ‘made’ by Full Council on the 18 May 2023. The Plan forms part of the Development Plan and will be used to guide planning decision in the parish. A copy of the final version of the Neighbourhood Plan and Decision Statement can be viewed below:

From 18 May 2023, the Neighbourhood Plan is subject to a 6 week period where applications can be made to the High Court on the grounds that the neighbourhood plan is not within the appropriate powers and/or a procedural requirement has not been complied with. This six-week period of legal challenge ends on 29 June 2023.

Referendum results

The referendum for the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan was held on Thursday 4 May 2023. There was a turnout of 34.27%. The results of the poll included: 267 votes in favour (87.82%) and 36 votes against (11.84%). More than 50% of those voting in the referendum voted ‘yes’ and therefore the neighbourhood plan has become part of the statutory development plan for the parish of Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green.

Declaration of result of poll – Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green

Referendum

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council agreed to proceed to a referendum on the Ecchinswell, Bishops Green and Sydmonton Neighbourhood Plan on 7 March 2023. As required by the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 as amended, a Decision Statement has been published which can be found below.

Ecchinswell, Bishops Green and Sydmonton Neighbourhood Plan – Decision Statement

Notice of Referendum for Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green - 7 March 2023

The decision statement and examiner’s report may be inspected at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council offices between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, and at Basingstoke Discovery Centre, Tadley Library and Newbury Library at their normal opening times.

The referendum on the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan will be held on Thursday 4 May 2023.

There are a number of documents that are available to view as part of the referendum. These are listed below:

An information Statement
The referendum version of the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green plan, including Appendix A indicative housing requirement letters, Appendix B design guidance and codes and Appendix C high resolution maps.
The independent examiners report on the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan.
A decision statement from the Local Planning Authority which confirms the draft Neighbourhood Plan meets the basic conditions and other legislative requirements. It also confirms that the neighbourhood plan can proceed to referendum.
A statement that sets out general information in respect of town and country planning, which includes neighbourhood planning.

The referendum area is identified on the map which is included within the information statement. The referendum area is identical to the area which has been designated as the Neighbourhood Plan area for Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green. For this referendum those entitled to vote will receive a ballot paper which asks the following question:

Do you want Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?

If more than 50% of individuals vote ‘yes’ in the referendum, then Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council will ‘make’ the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan. If the Neighbourhood Plan is ‘made’ it will help determine planning applications in the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Area. It will also form part of the statutory development plan for Basingstoke and Deane.

If more people vote ‘no’ than ‘yes’ then the Neighbourhood Plan will not be made part of the statutory development plan for the local area.

Examination

Ms Janet Cheesley was appointed to carry out an Independent Examination of the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood. The Examination commenced on 6 January 2023.

Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Examiners Report

During the examination any correspondence between the council and the examiner relevant to the examinations was placed on the council’s website. This correspondence is available below:

Any further correspondence will also be added to this webpage

Publication (Regulation 16)

The Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan (ESBGNP) was submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) on 24 October 2022. The plan has been subject to a compliance check to ensure it accords with the relevant legislation. The borough council’s decision and completed checklist can be viewed below:

Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan compliance check letter(PDF) [231 kb]

Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan compliance checklist(PDF) [211 kb]

The submission (Regulation 16) consultation on the Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green NP ran from the 7 November through to the 19 December 2022.

Representations received through the consultation can be viewed below

ESBG All Representation and completed forms submitted in response_redacted(PDF) [18 Mb]

The consultation documents:

Submission Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan(PDF) [16 Mb]

Consultation Statement(PDF) [2 Mb]

Basic Conditions Statement(PDF) [865 kb]

Equalities Impact Assessment(PDF) [285 kb]

BDBC SEA/HRA Scoping Report(PDF) [3 Mb]

BDBC SEA/HRA Decision Notice(PDF) [133 kb]

AECOM SEA/SA Report(PDF) [7 Mb]

Representation Form(PDF) [192 kb]

Guidance Note(PDF) [155 kb]

Public Notice(PDF) [128 kb]

The full list of documents submitted can be found at the bottom of the page.

Pre-submission (Regulation 14)

Consultation on the Pre-Submission Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan took place from Thursday 25 August 2022 and concluded at 5pm on Friday 7 October 2022.

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment

The borough council has undertaken screening for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA). The results of the screening report and the decision notice is available to view below:

Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan SEA and HEA Screening Decision Notice(PDF) [151 kb]

Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Plan SEA and HEA Screening Report(PDF) [4 Mb]

The plan has been rescreened in October 2022 to take account the impact of residential development in the catchment of the River Test as part of the wider catchment of the Solent. The results of the updated screening report and decision notice can be found below:

ESBG Neighbourhood Plan SEA and HEA Screening Report - October 2022(PDF) [4 Mb]

ESBG Neighbourhood Plan SEA and HEA Screening Report Decision Notice - October 2022(PDF) [173 kb]

Neighbourhood Plan Area designation

The Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Area was approved on 24 February 2021. You can view copies of the documents associated with the area designation below:

Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Area map(PDF) [4 Mb]

Ecchinswell, Sydmonton and Bishops Green Neighbourhood Area application(PDF) [177 kb]