NFDC feedback over draft Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan calls for clarity as Lymington Society says council response not sympathetic enough

DISTRICT councillors are calling for greater clarity in the Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan before it is formally adopted.

NFDC described the current draft plan, which was out for public consultation until 30th May, as a “well structured” document that “for the most part” is supported.

But the town council was also warned the draft “goes beyond” the provisions of NFDC’s overall development plan and suggests some policies that “may not be in general conformity” with it.

And town conservation group the Lymington Society also criticised NFDC’s response as not sympathetic enough.

In response to a “walkable neighbourhoods” proposal in the draft plan, NFDC said the policy is “split” into a number of clauses, adding: “The wording of some of these [clauses] appears to contradict others, leading to some internal inconsistency. These points would benefit from some editing to aid clarification.”

The district council’s main response to the plan covered aspirations for net zero carbon development in the town. The report said: “NFDC is supportive of the policy in principle and applauds the ambition to see energy efficiency standards that go beyond building regulations.

“However, the policy also needs to be in compliance with [written ministerial guidance issued in] December 2023. It would be helpful for the examiner to appraise this element and come to a conclusion.

“In addition, as drafted, NFDC is unsure how development management officers would be expected to assess the [net zero] criteria.”

NFDC said the plan’s wording that net zero goals should apply to “all development” would include changes of use for buildings and the re-use of existing commercial and residential buildings.

“In effect everything that requires a planning consent,” the report noted. “NFDC suggests that householder applications be exempted.”

Regarding developments categorised as “harmful” or “significantly harmful” to that area’s character, the district council said it would be “difficult to know how this would work in practice and what performance criteria NFDC officers will be expected or required to use to gauge building performance”.

The feedback report continues: “The paragraphs of supporting text…do provide references to various standards, but it would be helpful to set these out more clearly for planning officers in their deliberations and in setting any relevant conditions, such as a clear summary of which standard or method will be used for each criterion.”

Under general comments, NFDC said it would “suggest that a glossary is added to aid clarity for the reader and for the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with some of the terms used”.

On NFDC’s comments, Lymington Society chair Don Mackenzie said: “The district council has made certain comments and criticisms of the Neighbourhood Plan proposals… and Lymington Society on balance supports the suggestions on housing and improvements to net zero requirements for new homes which may be in excess of the current standards operated by the district council.

“The society is disappointed therefore that NFDC in setting out its response to the Neighbourhood Plan has not taken a more sympathetic approach.

“A Neighbourhood Plan is an opportunity for local communities to address their concerns arising from the planning of their area and to put forward policies to address them. The policies seeking to achieve a better balance of types of housing, like more smaller homes and the promotion of net zero carbon development for example, should be encouraged rather than to highlight differences with the outdated local plan and any procedural problems the Neighbourhood Plan might give the council.

“If NFDC are reluctant to support policies which the local communities wish to see in their Neighbourhood Plans they should take the opportunity… to bring forward their own which address the key issues facing Lymington and other towns in the district.”

Following the public consultation ending, the draft plan and its public representations will be considered by an independent examiner at a hearing.

Subject to any changes the examiner recommends, the plan will then be voted on in a parish referendum and adopted by NFDC and New Forest NPA if a majority are in support.

Once adopted, the Lymington and Pennington Neighbourhood Plan would be made a part of NFDC and NPA development plans and used alongside adopted local plans when determining planning applications.