What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

A Neighbourhood Plan is a new way for local people to influence the planning and development of the area in which they live and work. We now have an opportunity to shape the future of Hazelwood as a community – Neighbourhood planning .

Once our Neighbourhood Plan is approved, it will be a legal document setting out what development is acceptable and for what reason. Developers and local authority planners must take notice of the plan when future developments are proposed. Without a Neighbourhood Plan our views will not be considered, we’ll have little control over any development that takes place and we will receive less community funding from developers.

The Hazelwood Neighbourhood Plan Group are putting together a Neighbourhood Plan for our parish, supported by the Parish Council.

How does this affect us?

Our Neighbourhood Plan must comply with Amber Valleys Local Plan and the government’s wider policy of sustainable development. Inevitably, building development will happen in Hazelwood, but a Neighbourhood Plan will ensure that it is in keeping with, and responsive to, our needs. It will also help to ensure the services and facilities we have asked for are a requirement in any new developments.

Vision & Objectives

The Vision & Objectives of the Hazelwood Neighbourhood Plan have been carefully developed and refined by the Parish Council and the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group to reflect the priorities of the community, and help set the future of the village. The Vision is the overall aim of the Neighbourhood Plan and the Objectives are more detailed, allowing the development of policies, which in turn will be used to comment on and determine planning applications.