The three parish councils of Bamburgh, Beadnell and N Sunderland are developing a neighbourhood plan to manage future development in the villages. The plan was launched in January and about 10% of the residents attended at least one of the launch events. The steering committee has summarised the comments made and sent an update to those who requested one: the summary is on our website, coastalnplan.blogspot.com.
The main themes of housing and the style and location of development, employment and infrastructure are being taken forward in the next phase of work. We are now carrying out a survey of businesses in the area so we can better understand what they need and at least as importantly to better understand how we can encourage new businesses into the area. Separately, we will be asking people who own homes for letting for their views: although there are concerns about the number of holiday homes, they are an important part of our economy.
At the same time we have been reviewing the available information which we can use in the plan: for example, the 2011 census information as compared to 2001, and the AONB land use and development policies which could be a useful guide for us to use. Once we have pulled the above items together we will be developing a more detailed survey, including a housing needs survey, which will form the basis of the detailed policies in the plan. We are also working closely with the County Council, who are helping us develop the plan, as they pull together the plan for a County as a whole.
A final draft of their plan will be produced for consultation in Summer and we are trying to ensure that at a high level it supports the things that are important to us – ensuring development is in an acceptable style, that we have a proper balance of second and holiday homes and that we can encourage business.
As a reminder, The North Northumberland Coastal Area Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee is formed from representatives of the parish councils of Beadnell, North Sunderland and Bamburgh, residents and representatives and an elected member of Northumberland County Council. The Group has formed in response to the Localism Act 2011 which facilitates the adoption of Neighbourhood Plans. Neighbourhood planning is a new way for communities to decide the future of the places where they live and work.