For too long planning has tended to be something done TO communities rather than BY them – often leading to large, inappropriate applications that are out of keeping with our rural identity being dumped on our towns and villages, without the necessary infrastructure and facilities required to make them sustainable in the long term.

That’s why, ever since the introduction of the Localism Act back in 2011, I have been a major advocate of Mid Norfolk’s towns and villages taking the time to work with residents and local businesses to produce their own Neighbourhood Plans.

I was delighted to see Attleborough’s Neighbourhood Plan go to Referendum this past Thursday – being passed with 93% of voters saying yes. Several years of hard work have gone into the development of this Plan and, now, the plan and the policy within it will have to be referred to and considered when future planning applications in the town are assessed.

Other villages, such as Yaxham and Mattishall, have already had their own Neighbourhood Plans adopted and I am currently working with the likes of Swanton Morley, Watton and Dereham as they pursue the development of theirs.

If there is anything I can do to help YOUR community create a Neighbourhood Plan, please do get in touch.