Adoption of the Strensall with Towthorpe Neighbourhood Plan

City of York Council’s Executive has today formally adopted the Strensall with Towthorpe Neighbourhood Plan, following a successful referendum result held in May.

The Strensall with Towthorpe Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the statutory development plan for the City of York, to be used in determining planning applications within the Neighbourhood Plan area.

The referendum was held on Thursday 4 May, alongside the local elections, in the Strensall Parish area.

Residents were asked: “Do you want City of York Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Strensall with Towthorpe to help decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

Of those who voted, 82.5 per cent of respondents voted ‘Yes’ (1194) and 17.5 per cent voted ‘No’ (253).

A total of 1493 ballot papers were issued (33 per cent turnout).

As the local planning authority, the council has worked closely with Strensall with Towthorpe Parish Council in an advisory capacity to support them throughout the various stages of the plan process.

Government rules introduced in 2012 give local communities greater powers to create their own plans and policies. As part of the Localism Act 2011, local communities are encouraged to come together to get more involved in planning for their areas by producing plans, which are designed to guide new development.

The Neighbourhood Plan went through several stages of consultation before being assessed by an independent examiner.

Neighbourhood Plans must have regard to national planning policy, be in general conformity with the emerging Local Plan and strategic policies in the development plan for the area and must be compatible with EU obligations and human rights requirements. The Strensall with Towthorpe Neighbourhood Plan was found to meet these requirements.

Background dates:

• 15 June 2023: Executive agree to ‘make’ the Neighbourhood Plan
• 4 May 2023: Referendum into the neighbourhood plan held;
• 16 March 2023: Executive approval to proceed to referendum
• April 2022: Examination commenced
• June 2021: The Submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to the council and consultation took place from November 2021 to January 2022
• June/July 2018: Pre -submission consultation held by the Parish followed by second pre-submission consultation in March/April 2019
• 14 June 2018: an amended application boundary was approved by Executive.