New Faversham neighbourhood plan
Published
Monday 9 December, 2024
Updated
Monday 9 December, 2024
Faversham has a new Neighbourhood Plan following a public referendum.
The new Faversham Neighbourhood Plan was made at Swale Borough Council’s full council last week (Wednesday 5 December), meaning it has now officially come into force.
The plan was approved at a referendum on Thursday 21 November 2024 receiving a majority of 94% - with a turnout of 18% of the people eligible to vote.
Neighbourhood plans are important tools that allow communities to have a direct say on developments in their local area.
The plan covers a range of development topics such as preserving Faversham’s heritage, sustainable housing growth, transport and promoting active travel, such as walking and cycling, and protecting Faversham’s green spaces and natural environments until 2038.
The Faversham Neighbourhood Plan was put together by the Faversham Neighbourhood Planning Group, consisting of Faversham Town Council and the Faversham Society in consultation with the local community.
For the plan to go to referendum, and then come into force, there were many public consultation events, a number of statutory consultation stages, was approved by an independent examiner and then voted on by the public.
Cllr Alastair Gould, chair of the Planning and Transportation Policy Working Group, said:
“Neighbourhood plans allow residents to have a say on developments and the protection of their heritage assets and the natural environments in their area.
“The new Faversham Neighbourhood Plan has now come into force and will have a material impact on any planning applications up until 2038.
“Thank you to everyone who worked incredibly hard on this plan, and to the public who provided vital feedback and local knowledge that helped shape it.”
Cllr Hannah Perkin, Abbey Ward councillor and chair of the Faversham Neighbourhood Planning Group, said:
“We worked closely with the public throughout the process of drafting this plan, because we wanted to make sure locals could have their say on the future of their area.
“The plan was approved at referendum with an overwhelming majority showing that residents support what we are trying to achieve.
“We want to make sure we protect our area from irresponsible development and safeguard our important natural and heritage assets that make Faversham such a special place.”
To find out more information about the Faversham Neighbourhood Plan visit Swale Borough Council’s local plan page:
https://swale.gov.uk/planning-and-regeneration/local-plans/neighbourhood-planning/faversham#h2
This plan now supersedes the Faversham Creek Neighbourhood Plan and carries full planning weight in decisions as of 5 December.
