Neighbourhood planning

Current Neighbourhood Plan (Made October 2016)

The Southwell Neighbourhood Plan Referendum was held on 22 September 2016 and was successful. The Southwell Neighbourhood Plan was 'made' by the District Council on 11 October 2016, following its council meeting. 

The Southwell Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the development plan for the district and will be used in conjunction the other components to determine planning application and appeals in the parish of Southwell.

Neighbourhood Plan Review 

Neighbourhood Plan Review – Southwell Amended Neighbourhood Plan Examination

The review seeks to modify and update the existing Neighbourhood Plan, identifying key issues relating to development for the community, setting out a vision and objectives for development in Southwell Parish within the period 2024 to 2033 and containing a range of policies to be used in the assessment of development proposals. 

If made, it will replace the current Neighbourhood Plan and become part of the Development Plan for land use and development proposals within the Parish until 2033.

Following submission, the modified plan proposal was published under Regulation 16 of The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 for a period of public consultation between the 18th December 2024 and 19th February 2025. Following the close of the consultation the District Council and Southwell Town Council carefully considered the representations received, the implications of updates to national planning policy and the examination process in relation to the Amended Allocations & Development Management DPD. This led to a pause in progressing onto Examination.

However, with the final Inspectors Report on the Amended Allocations & Development Management DPD having been received it is now considered appropriate for the modified plan proposal to move onto Examination.

Andrew Freeman BSc (Hons) DipTP DipEM FRTPI has been appointed to examine the Amended Neighbourhood Plan, and this webpage will be updated to provide information as the Examination proceeds.

Revised Statutory Framework Consultation

The independent Examiner for the Amended Southwell Neighbourhood Plan has issued a letter, dated 15th September 2026, explaining that recent legislative changes affect the legal compliance and Basic Conditions requirements for neighbourhood plans.

These changes were introduced after the Regulation 16 consultation on the Amended Plan had taken place, but before the examination progressed.

Sections 98 and 99 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 came into force on 25 March by virtue of The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 Regulations 2026 - Legislation.gov.uk, which were made on 2 March 2025. These sections amend the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in respect of the legal compliance and the Basic Conditions requirements. 

Further legal compliance requirements

• So far as the qualifying body considers appropriate, and having regard to the subject matter of the plan, the plan must be designed to secure that the development and use of land in the neighbourhood area contribute to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.
• So far as the qualifying body considers appropriate and having regard to the subject matter of the plan, the plan must be designed to take account of any local nature recovery strategy under section 104 of the Environment Act 2021 that relates to all or part of the neighbourhood plan area. 

New Basic Condition requirement

The making of the neighbourhood development plan would not result in the development plan for the area of the authority proposing that less housing is provided by means of development taking place in that area than if the neighbourhood development plan were not to be made. 

This new Basic Condition replaces the former Condition that the neighbourhood plan be in general conformity with the strategic policies contained in the development plan for the area.

The Examiner is now providing anyone with an interest in the examination with the opportunity to comment on the legal compliance and Basic Condition changes. There is no need for responses to repeat representations that have already been made in relation to any other matters (as the Regulation 16 representations stand as submitted). Similarly, it is not an opportunity to raise new matters that do not relate to these points.

Representations can be made between Friday 9th October and Friday 23rd October (5pm) and sent via email or in writing to:

Planning Policy and Infrastructure
Newark and Sherwood District Council
Castle House
Great North Road
Newark
NG24 1BY
Email: planningpolicy@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk

Should you require an extension to the consultation period please contact the Planning Policy and Infrastructure team at the earliest opportunity in order to agree a reasonable period.

Following the close of the consultation the responses will be sent to the Examiner to enable them to progress the Examination.

Submission Amended Neighbourhood Plan:

Supporting Information:

Evidence Base: