The modifications recommended by the Examiner and accepted by Herefordshire Council have been applied to the Allensmore Neighbourhood Development Plan; the latest version of the plan is here.
Herefordshire Council published their Delegated Decision Statement on 31st March 2020 recommending the Neighbourhood Development Plan progresses to referendum.
However, regulations linked to the Coronavirus Act 2020 mean that no elections or referendums can take place until 6th May 2021. This includes neighbourhood planning referendums. These provisions will be kept under review and may be amended or revoked in response to changing circumstances.
Herefordshire Council have confirmed that our referendum will take place on 6th May 2021 “unless otherwise specified by UK Government in further legislation”. Click here for Herefordshire Council’s notice.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government understands this will be frustrating for communities that have dedicated significant time and effort to the neighbourhood planning process and naturally want their plans to come into force as soon as possible. With this in mind, they have updated current planning guidance to set out that neighbourhood plans awaiting referendums can be given significant weight in decision-making.