Consultation and independent examination of the Neighbourhood Plan

Together with the local community, we have reviewed the 2017 adopted Neighbourhood Plan to provide an additional 450 dwellings by 2032.The Farnham Neighbourhood Plan Review 2019 was submitted to Waverley Borough Council on 25 January. As the planning authority, Waverley Borough Council sent a letter confirming that the technical consultation could take place from 7 February to 21 March 2019. See the comments made in response to the statutory consultation. The consultation was followed by an independent examination in April.

Independent examination of Farnham Neighbourhood Plan Review 2019

Waverley Borough Council submitted the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan Review Regulation 17 to Intelligent Plans and Examinations (IPE) Ltd for independent examination. Mr Derek Stebbing was appointed Independent Examiner and confirmed receipt of the Plan.

Following submission of the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan review, the examiner wrote a letter to raise three procedural points. See the letters of response from Farnham Town Council and Waverley Borough Council. See the Independent Examiner’s reply.

Procedural exploratory hearing

A procedural exploratory hearing took place on Tuesday 4 June at the Town Council Offices, South Street, Farnham. See a copy of the agenda 4th June and accompanying note for the Procedural Exploratory Meeting.

The Independent Examiner’s determination following the hearing is that the Neighbourhood Plan Review modifications (following changes to Government Planning Practice Guidance on 9 May 2019) constitute material modifications which do change the nature of the Plan and, if to proceed, would require an examination and a referendum. See a copy of the Independent Examiner’s letter.

In response to the examiner’s determination, Farnham Town Council met on 27 June 2019 to determine the next steps. Councillors agreed to proceed with the Examination of the draft Plan under Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) (‘Schedule 4B’).

Farnham Town Council wrote to the independent examiner on 1 July to confirm the Council’s decision. The independent examiner responded and explained the next steps in a letter dated 4 July.

Neighbourhood Plan public hearing – 1 October 2019

The Independent Examiner conducted a public hearing on Tuesday 1 October.

The Examiner determined that a hearing was necessary to ensure adequate examination of a number of matters relating to the proposed modifications in the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Independent Examiner wrote a note explaining the process.

You can also see the:

agenda 1st Oct for the public hearing
list of parties invited to speak, and
briefing note for parties participating in the hearing
written evidence from:
- Lichfields on behalf of Berkeley Homes (Southern) Ltd
- Cove Homes
- Reside
- Vail Williams

Independent Examiner’s report

See the Independent Examiner’s report on the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan Review (Modification Proposal) 2013 – 2032 and the decision statement issued by Waverley Borough Council.

How the Neighbourhood Plan has changed

The amended Neighbourhood Plan:

incorporates minor text updates and changes to reflect what has happened and permissions granted since the made Neighbourhood Plan was prepared and adopted
the end date has been harmonised with the Waverley Local Plan for consistency
allocates new sites to meet the new housing target of an additional 450 homes

See the updates to the Made Farnham Neighbourhood Plan 2017

Farnham Town Council did not consider that the revisions were material or changed the nature of the Plan. However in his letter dated 21 June 2019 after holding a procedural hearing, Mr Derek Stebbing the Independent Examiner determined that the changes were material and to proceed would require an examination and a referendum. This hearing took place on 1 October.