Date published: 2025-07-23 | Category: Delivering for local residents, Planning, Preparing for the Future
A plan that guides future development and land use in a parish incorporating two historic villages in the Cam Valley has been approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The High Littleton and Hallatrow Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has been reviewed and approved by Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development.
The NDP addresses sustainable development, housing, transport, environment, heritage and community facilities in the parish and will be used by the Local Planning Authority to help determine planning applications in the area.
The parish council submitted the draft and supporting documents to Bath & North East Somerset Council in February 2024 and a consultation was held during July and August last year. An independent examiner assessed the draft plan against national and local policies and consultation responses and recommended that subject to modifications it proceeded to referendum.
The referendum was held on 1 May. Of those eligible to vote, 34.7% did so and the majority of those, 88.79%, were in favour of using the High Littleton and Hallatrow Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) to help decide planning applications in the area.
Councillor Matt McCabe said: “Neighbourhood Development Plans are a powerful tool to help communities influence planning decisions by reflecting the priorities of their parish. The High Littleton and Hallatrow NDP was subject to extensive community engagement and I want to thank all those people who took part. The plan will now become part of the council’s statutory development plan, providing a framework against which future residential and commercial planning applications for High Littleton and Hallatrow will be measured.”
The three key themes of the NDP include:
- Planning and development – to reserve the rural landscape and preserve the natural green spaces between the villages, while supporting small-scale infill developments of 1 to 9 dwellings that deliver demonstrate net zero by 2030.
- Environment and sustainability – protect and enhance the natural environment including key wildlife habitats and corridors and ensure any development is designed to minimise light pollution and incorporates sustainable drainage solutions.
- Local heritage and historic buildings – protect the character of historic buildings, with any new development fronting onto the A39 reflecting the distinct design and use natural local materials.
The plan also includes support for initiatives that promote safe walking, reduce congestion and improve transport links to the parish; a commitment to ensure the retention, improve the quality and or extend the existing range of community facilities and expand and improve the current allotments and support for the development of a community led Environmental Action Plan.
Simon Gould from High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council said: “The plan will help shape the future of our parish, supporting development to meet the needs of residents while protecting the rural landscape and environment for future generations. I am grateful to local volunteers who gave their time to help develop the plan over several years and to local residents who took part in consultation events. The plan is stronger as a result of their inputs.”
The High Littleton and Hallatrow Neighbourhood Plan will become part of the Development Plan, the framework for determining planning applications in B&NES (that currently comprises the Core Strategy (2014); Placemaking Plan (2017); Local Plan Partial Update (2023); Saved Policy from the 2007 B&NES Local Plan; the Joint Waste Core Strategy; and already made Neighbourhood Plans). This will mean that the High Littleton and Hallatrow Neighbourhood Plan will have full statutory weight in decision making on planning applications within the Neighbourhood Area.
Following the announcement of new government housing targets last year, the Cabinet agreed to reset the B&NES Local Plan, which had already undergone a first round of public consultation. A programme of engagement is currently underway and a consultation on the revised options for future development needs across Bath and North East Somerset will take place later this year. More information about the Local Plan can be found on the website.
In future, there will be no central government funding for communities to support the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans. The council’s planning authority will continue to receive funding to enable it to carry out its statutory functions, including supporting plans through examination and referendum. Despite this change, the council remain committed to supporting communities in bringing forward their Neighbourhood Plans and will continue to provide guidance and assistance throughout the process.
The High Littleton and Hallatrow Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed on the council website.
ENDS