Purpose

Broadland District Council’s response to the Drayton Neighbourhood Plan (2026-2040) Pre-submission Draft consultation (Reg. 14).

Decision

The process of preparing a modified Drayton Neighbourhood Plan was commenced by the Parish Council in 2025. Following an update to the evidence base and a review of the effectiveness and relevance of the 2016 Plan, a Neighbourhood Plan Survey was undertaken with residents and stakeholders. This work has led to the production of a draft, modified Neighbourhood Plan, featuring wholesale changes to policies from the existing 2016 Plan.

The draft, modified Drayton Neighbourhood Plan has been published by the steering group for pre-submission consultation (in compliance with Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2015) between 20th July and 31st August 2026. The target audience for this consultation is the community of Drayton as well as a range of stakeholder bodies. Broadland District Council is one of the stakeholders that has been consulted on the draft Plan.

The proposed consultation response from the District Council is enclosed with this form. This features comments from officers across the Planning team, as well as from the Community Asset  Manager.

Reasons for the decision

In general, the comments made as part of the proposed response focus on the need for greater clarity of proposed policies within the Neighbourhood Plan. In many cases, the comments refer to the fact that there is duplication within the Neighbourhood Plan of policies that are set out either within the Greater Norwich Local Plan or within the National Planning Policy Framework 2026.

The comments are intended to assist the Neighbourhood Plan steering group in ensuring that the Neighbourhood Plan is fit for purpose and that it meets the basic conditions for neighbourhood planning, as set out in legislation. Following the consultation, the steering group will consider all of the representations received from consultees before preparing the final draft Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents for submission.

Alternative options considered

Broadland District Council could decline to respond to the consultation, or certain of the comments proposed could be withdrawn before submitting a response. However, it is felt that each of the comments proposed suggests a way of improving the suitability and value of the Neighbourhood Plan.