Neighbourhood Plans What is a Neighbourhood Plan? A document that sets out planning policies for the neighbourhood area – planning policies are used to decide whether to approve planning applications Written by the local community, the people who know and love the area, rather than the Local Planning Authority A powerful tool to ensure the community gets the right types of development, in the right place. Local people can create a plan that allows them to develop planning policies that reflect the priorities of their area and have real legal weight. The whole community then decides at a referendum vote whether the local authority should bring the plan into force. A neighbourhood plan is an important document with real legal force, therefore there are certain formal stages that it must go through.

Four key stages Write the Plan in consultation with the community Formal Community consultation SCDC examination and consultation Waterbeach Community referendum A group of residents forming the Neighbourhood Plan Group are consulting the community and have a draft vision for the Plan which we hope to complete during Summer 2018. We are here!

Draft vision Do you agree? "Our Neighbourhood Area will continue to be a great place to live and work by ensuring that the identity and character of the existing communities within the Parish are respected and protected. This plan will ensure that any new development in the Neighbourhood Area will provide sustainable infrastructure. It will ensure the improvement of the overall quality of life of every resident. New development should not be overbearing or overwhelming and should complement the rural vistas and existing Fen Edge landscape.’’ Do you agree? Please send comments to NPAdmin@Waterbeach.org.uk

Priorities and Objectives Our Neighbourhood Plan will be shaped by the community. With help from residents through previous consultations, the following issues have been identified to be addressed by the Plan in priority order: Transport and infrastructure Local services and community Development of the former barracks Flooding and drainage Environment Rural Nature Housing Conservation & heritage Do you agree? Please send comments on this to NPAdmin@Waterbeach.org.uk

Objectives Waterbeach should be a more self-contained community 2: Ensure that local residents have access to sufficient local services 3. Development must be beneficial to the village in the end 4. Solve the existing flooding problems within the village. community   5. Ensure there is no increase in flood risk from development 6. Preserve the fen-edge character of the village and its surroundings 7. Maintain ad increase biodiversity 8. Maintain rural nature of Waterbeach 9: Improve community’s access to the surrounding countryside 10: Housing will meet local needs and response positively to the existing character within Waterbeach 11. Maintain the tranquillity of the village

Character Assessment Many groups decide to undertake a character assessment of their local area to help inform and support the development of policies for their neighbourhood plan. A key part of the character assessment preparation process is the identification and recording of the key characteristics of your local area. This covers Topography, Land use, Layout, Roads, streets and routes, Spaces, Buildings, Landmarks, Green and natural features, Streetscape, Views Would you like to cover an area and fill in a questionnaire?