Members were reminded that the 2011 Localism Act introduced new powers for local communities to produce neighbourhood plans, which could be used to guide and shape future development in an area.  Once adopted a neighbourhood plan formed part of the statutory Development Plan for the area and it was used in the determination of planning applications.

Brentwood Borough Council approved the designation of the Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish as a Neighbourhood Plan Area in October 2017.  Since then, the parish council had progressed their neighbourhood plan and published the draft document for Regulation 14 consultation, appended to the report as Appendix A.  The Council’s proposed response was set out for Members’ information in Appendix B.  This response focused on the consistency with the emerging Brentwood Local Development Plan.

The Ingatestone and Fryerning Neighbourhood Plan consisted of seven policies which complemented the policies found in the emerging Brentwood Local Development Plan.  These included policies on housing, heritage, economy, transport, environment, and wellbeing.

Mr Drane introduced the report and Ward Councillors Thomas Bridge and Jon Cloke MOVED and SECONDED the recommendation within it.

The third Ward Councillor, Cllr Mrs Hones, was present and spoke in support of the Plan. 

Following a discussion a vote was taken and the recommendation was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY as follows:

That Members:

Approve the response to the Ingatestone and Fryerning Neighbourhood Plan Regulation 14 consultation, as set out in Appendix B.

Cllr Mynott pointed out an error in the list of Community Assets in that no 8 referred to the ‘United Reform Church’ which should have read the ‘United Reformed Church’.