Writtle Neighbourhood Plan Update June 2020

I am pleased to say that despite the problems caused by the COVID situation the Steering Group for the Neighbourhood Plan has been able to make significant progress even though we have only been able to meet “ virtually” and exchange information and views by email.

We are very encouraged that with the aid of our Planning Advisors we have been able to present our first draft of the Plan, which is over 100 pages and contains the ideas and suggested policies which you have given us to Chelmsford City Council for their comments.  These have been both favourable  and helpful.  We are awaiting a decision as to whether we will have to carry out a Strategic Environment Assessment on the Plan and it is understood that this is unlikely.  In which case we will then be able to make the draft plan available for consultation by yourselves before the final draft is prepared and submitted to the City Council for the final formal process of Independent Examination.  This would be followed by a referendum by all those in the Parish entitled to vote to seek acceptance of the Plan.  At present  the COVID Act 2020 prevents any such referendum taking place until at least May 2021, but this should not affect our further progress in the meantime.

To give you some idea of the weight and importance of this very exciting document which will be used to map of the future of Writtle, we have placed on the Neighbourhood Plan section of Parish website, three studies which have been researched and produced as back up evidence and research by the team.

We will of course provide you with further updates as we move further along.

Jonathan Weymouth, Chair, Writtle Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group 01/06/2020