Farrington Gurney housing questionnaire

This questionnaire is prompted by the B&NES planning process. To represent and protect the needs and desires of residents, the Parish Council is developing a Neighbourhood Plan (otherwise known as an NP.)

Neighbourhood Planning is a relatively new system giving local communities more say in planning the development of their local area. It allows parishioners to set out where new houses and businesses should go, and what they should look like, thereby protecting the local environment, heritage and well-being of parishioners. They should

• Typically cover a period of 5 – 20 years
• Provide up-to-date evidence of current housing need and forecasts of future need Much comes from census data, population and economic forecasts.
• *Include evidence of what our community wants in terms of the type and style of development and the amenities we want.
• Reflect and respond to the unique characteristics of the village, and address design, health, safety and environmental issues.

Once adopted after a community referendum, a NP becomes a legally binding document. B&NES has to work to this, when it considers planning applications or development proposals within the parish. So it gives us longterm influence and protection of a kind we have not had before.

This questionnaire is one step in a lengthy process. it is most important to get your views. The more responses we get back, the more influential your views are.

What happens next?

• Everyone in the village will be invited to a public meeting where together we will look at site options
• Meet the planning consultant and a representative from the Duchy of Cornwall, both of whom are guiding us through the process.
• Discuss views and ask questions.

(Residents only, 1 response per person, please)