The Localism Act 2011 introduced a new local tier to the planning system called neighbourhood planning. The purpose of this new tier of plan making is to empower local people to enable them to shape the area in which they live. Neighbourhood planning enables two types of body – town and parish councils or neighbourhood forums – to prepare, with the community they represent, planning documents for their area.
- Neighbourhood Development Plans set planning policies that will be used to determine planning applications in their respective parishes
- Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders grant planning permission for specific development which complies with the order
Latest News
Seaford Neighbourhood Plan
The Examination for the Seaford Neighbourhood Plan has now successfully completed. The Examiner has issued a report on the examination of the Neighbourhood Plan. It recommends that subject to modifications, the Seaford Neighbourhood Plan should progress to referendum. The Examiner's report and the Council's Decision Statement can be found in the Seaford Town section below along with referendum information and a referendum version of the Neighbourhood Plan. Documents can also be viewed at the Lewes District Council offices at Southover House, Southover Road, Lewes BN7 1AB from Monday to Friday, 8:30pm to 5:30pm or at the Seaford Town Council offices at 37 Church Street, Seaford BN25 1HG from Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm.
The Referendum on the Seaford Neighbourhood Plan will take place on 6th February 2020.
Newhaven Neighbourhood Plan
The Newhaven Referendum took place on 10th October 2019. The result was a majority 'Yes' vote. The policies in the Plan now have full weight in decision making.
On 27th November 2019, the Newhaven Neighbourhood Plan was 'made' and has been brought legally into force. Please see below Newhaven Town section for relevant documents.
Which authority?
Local authorities have a legal duty to support and advise those communities undertaking neighbourhood planning. There are two local planning authorities in Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District. This is because parts of Eastbourne Borough and Lewes District are within the South Downs National Park.
- For neighbourhood areas wholly within one local planning authority, this local planning authority will support those undertaking neighbourhood planning.
- For neighbourhood areas within the boundaries of Eastbourne Borough or Lewes District Council and the South Downs National Park Authority, the responsibility for supporting neighbourhood planning will be incumbent upon the local planning authority where the main centre of population is based.
You can download the relevant town and parish council documents below. The links will automatically open the document for viewing.
