Benenden’s undulating ridges and valleys, peppered with irregular fields, woodland and characterful houses, create a landscape that is rich in beautiful views. These can be both far- reaching and panoramic, looking out across the Weald, or of more intimate character, connecting us to the individual features of the landscape and the activities that take place withinRead more about Strong protection for our outstanding views[…]
Following extensive consultation over and above that required, the BNDP went to Independent Examination. After a thorough fake rolex submariner examination including an all day public hearing specifically to give people the opportunity to set out any concerns, the Independent Examiner approved the BNDP. The plan has been amended in line with recommendations set outRead more about Here’s our latest Draft Plan[…]
Neighbourhood Plans were conceived by central government to encourage local input to the planning process.They enable communities to set planning policies for the local area, including allocating sites for development. But NDPs go beyond a simple blueprint for housing, they also provide the opportunity for communities to identify and protect important local green spaces. InRead more about The NDP: Important Protection for our Green Spaces[…]
I’m very pleased to announce that after a very thorough process, we have now passed the Independent Examination stage – a review by a fully qualified and accredited independent examiner to ensure our Neighbourhood Development Plan meets Local and National Planning guidelines. He scrutinised our plan closely and held a public hearing specifically to lookRead more about Examination passed. Now for the referendum[…]
The Benenden Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has now moved to the penultimate stage of the process. Some three and a half years after work commenced, our plan is currently subject to the scrutiny of an independent examiner. The examiner was appointed by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) with the agreement of the parish council inRead more about Hearing: In Front of the Independent Examiner[…]
The Neighbourhood Development Plan will govern the shape and future of Benenden parish for the foreseeable future and villagers will have the chance to vote for or against it at an upcoming referendum (date to be confirmed). Here the plan’s architects and opponents put their views for and against. Those following Benenden’s Neighbourhood Development PlanRead more about Parish Magazine Special April 2021[…]
With a special edition in April 2021 on the Neighbourhood Development Plan, the Parish Magazine editors asked some pertinent questions of the NDP team, and those with differing views to help prompt debate and discussion in the village. Q. We’ve heard that if the NDP was voted out at a referendum, then no new housesRead more about Parish Magazine April 2021: the big questions, and answers[…]
Around 90% of the public feedback received about our rough draft and two formal phases of consultation concerned the allocation of sites for new building. It’s understandable that proposed building, particularly if it’s close to one’s own home, gets the most attention, but the NDP is actually about much, much more. The plan contains policies and projects, built on your input fromRead more about Our Neighbourhood Development plan: It’s about so much more than building sites[…]
I hope that you managed to feed back on the Benenden NDP before consultation closed mid-December. This final phase of public consultation (known as Regulation 16 – more here) followed public consultations in autumn 2019 (Regulation 14 – more here), and on our Rough Draft in spring that year. An independent examiner will study our plan, our supporting documents, Tunbridge Wells BoroughRead more about A Reminder: How the NDP got off the ground[…]
Benenden’s Neighbourhood Development Plan is finally moving to the next stage. Following village workshops and working group sessions a Rough Draft was produced. Consultation with the village and other stakeholders ran from 23rd February – 6th April 2019 and we used the feedback to shape our first formal draft. This draft was launched to theRead more about Neighbourhood Development Plan moves to the next stage[…]