The Neighbourhood Planning process has been developed as part of the Localism Act 2011 which sets out four main measures:
The Penzance Neighbourhood Plan enables local people to take greater control over development within the Parish, helping foster a community which is socially and economically resilient. It sets out a vision and objectives for our Parish up to 2030, and includes a set of planning policies to ensure that all new developments support the vision and objectives.
Although the Plan cannot alter national and county-level policies, it provides an extra layer of community-led policies that reflect the unique environment in which we live and work.
A referendum on the Plan was held on Thursday 31st July.
The Referendum was run by Cornwall Council. Everyone living in the civil Parish of Penzance who is registered on Cornwall Council’s Electoral Register was given the opportunity to vote “Yes” or “No” on the question: “Do you want Cornwall Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Penzance to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”.
From an electorate of 15,848, there were 3,197 Ballot Papers issued: a turnout of 20.17%. Of those 3,197, the number of ‘Yes’ votes was 2,928, and the number of ‘No’ votes was 268. This amounted to 91.6% of votes in favour of the Penzance Neighbourhood Plan.
Cornwall Council will now have to use the Plan in determining planning applications alongside the Local Plan, other Cornwall Council planning policies and guidance, and national planning policy.
To find out more about the Plan please visit the Penzance Neighbourhood Plan website.
