Uppingham Town Council has prepared a document detailing the 'next steps' for the Uppingham Draft Neighbourhood Plan.

Sharon Coe, town clerk and responsible financial officer for Uppingham Town Council, said: "Following fantastic feedback from the public, the response window to return the consultation documents has now closed. Uppingham Town Council would like to thank everyone who took the time to read and return the consultation documents.

"The refreshed document is lengthy and contains some planning terms and policies, which can be a bit daunting. These are, however, necessary because the Neighbourhood Plan is a formal legal planning document, which must conform with Government legislation.

"Neighbourhood plans are led by town or parish councils, or where there is no such council, a specially set up neighbourhood forum. These are known as 'qualifying bodies' and Uppingham Town Council is the qualifying body in this case. A neighbourhood plan must meet certain specified 'basic conditions'. These ensure plans contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, have regard to national policy and guidance and are in general conformity with adopted Local Plan policies."

The document, entitled 'Uppingham's Refreshed Neighbourhood Plan Next Steps', explains: "Over the coming weeks, decisions will need to be made over whether or not to amend the neighbourhood plan in response to each representation. The decisions on whether or not to amend the plan, and the reasoning behind them, should be recorded, as this information will need to be incorporated into the consultation statement. The town council will need to agree the modifications and approve the resulting 'submission version of the Neighbourhood Plan.

"The consultation process and outcomes will be set out in a consultation statement. This is a formal document which will be submitted to the county council (Rutland) alongside the revised Neighbourhood Plan and it will include: details of people and organisations consulted about the proposed neighbourhood plan; details of how they were consulted; a summary of the main issues and concerns raised through the consultation process; descriptions of how these issues and concerns were considered and addressed in the proposed neighbourhood plan. In addition to the consultation statement, a basic conditions statement has to be put together and will form part of the 'submission documents'.

"The area, formal technical/legal document which shows how the Neighbourhood Plan: Has regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State and it is appropriate to make the order (or neighbourhood plan), contributes to the achievement of sustainable development and is in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan for the area. Does not breach, and is otherwise compatible with, EU (or successor) obligations

"The next version of the Neighbourhood Plan, taking account of consultation comments, must be submitted by Uppingham Town Council (qualifying body) to Rutland County Council.  It is their job as the local planning authority, to ensure that the submitted refreshed neighbourhood plan has followed the proper legal process, such as the neighbourhood area being designated and the legal requirements for consultation and publicity having been followed.

"Rutland County Council will appoint an appropriately qualified and experienced person to carry out the independent examination of the neighbourhood plan. This person is known as the 'independent examiner'. Following the examination, the examiner will issue a report to Rutland County Council and the neighbourhood planning body. If the plan meets the basic conditions, the examiner will recommend that the plan proceed to referendum. However, they may and usually do, recommend modifications that need to be made to the plan in order to meet the basic conditions before it can proceed to the referendum.

"If the neighbourhood plan is found to be satisfactory, with modifications, if necessary, then the local authority will arrange for the referendum to take place. This will be organised by the local authority's elections unit. Rutland County Council is required to publish information about the neighbourhood plan 28 working days before the date of the referendum. Then 25 working days before the date of the referendum, they are required to give notice that a referendum is taking place and the date of the poll.

"If successful at referendum, a neighbourhood plan comes into force as part of the development plan for the area alongside the local plan ( this is known as the plan being made). Local planning authorities and planning inspectors considering planning applications or appeals must make their decisions in accordance with the policies of the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise."

The next meeting of Uppingham Town Council is at 7pm on Wednesday, 8 March 2023.