Annual Report East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan Committee 2023/24

The work of the committee has gathered pace since last September when we
appointed consultants Rachel Leggett and Andrea Long to assist the work of
reviewing the original East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan.
The work is painstaking and detailed. Even with a group of willing and talented
members, this work is too burdensome for volunteers. This reviewed plan must be
robust and must stand up to scrutiny so that it can ensure the village has some
control over its future. We need the expertise of our consultants to make that
happen.
The Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group met on numerous occasions during the
year.
Following the public consultation event held in February 2024, work has begun on
new and amended policies for the Neighbourhood Plan. A total of 156 responses
were received to the questionnaire and 74 people attended the drop in session at the
Lambe School. At the same time, we took the opportunity to consult the village on
the extension of the Conservation Area in East Bergholt.
The Steering Group are meeting regularly to review existing policies and to develop
new policies and will be taking into account the results of the consultation plus
changes in legislation and the District Council’s new Local Plan which was adopted
last year.
Work has been underway on a Housing Needs Assessment of the parish. The
Steering Group have commented on the first draft and the final report is expected
soon.
Work has also been underway on the production of a Design Code for the Parish.
The first draft has been received and the Steering Group are meeting in early May to
go through it in detail.
We anticipate that a full draft of the revised Plan will be available for public
consultation in September 2024. We hope residents will take a good look and let us
know their views.