24 April 2018

Rural constituencies such as Mid Norfolk are facing unprecedented pressure from aggressive ‘out of town’ developers intent on using the Five Year Land Supply Rule (which was designed to prevent ‘Nimby’ Councils from ignoring the housing requirements in their own Local Plans) to railroad inappropriate development through – against the wishes of the local councils and communities. As we know, so often these unsustainable developments are to the detriment of local infrastructure and services, and the people who depend upon them.

That’s why I, as I promised my electorate at the 2017 Election, secured a Parliamentary debate in Westminster earlier this year to insist that Ministers work with me, councillors and fellow MPs to explore how measures can be done to strengthen Neighbourhood Planning and close the loophole that is the Five Year Land Supply Rule.

While I continue my work in Westminster calling for this important reform to the National Planning Policy Framework, I also continue to work with local towns and villages here in Mid Norfolk that have chosen to develop their own Neighbourhood Plan – and Saham Toney is one such village.

I was delighted to meet with the Saham Toney Neighbourhood Plan Working Group this past Friday to discuss their concerns about Neighbourhood Planning and the Localism Act, and to offer my support and assistance to their efforts to develop, and have adopted, their own Neighbourhood Plan.

Their Plan is currently going through the consultation phase, which has now been extended until midnight on Sunday 29th April 2018. It is vital that as many residents, businesses and village groups as possible take the time to put forward their views, and I would therefore like to encourage everyone concerned to spare a few minutes and take part – to help the shape the future of this beautiful village, and its vibrant community.

For further information on how YOU can have your say, please visit their website here.

Photo: Brian Hinkins, Chris Darge, Brian Mitchell, George Freeman MP, Chris Blow, Andrew Walmsley