Neighbourhood planning enables communities to shape the areas in which they live and work. A Neighbourhood Plan is being prepared for Droitwich Spa using powers introduced in the Localism Act 2011. Once finalised, the Neighbourhood Plan, along with the South Worcestershire Development Plan and any other material considerations, will be applied by Wychavon District Council when taking decisions on planning applications in the town. In this way the Neighbourhood Plan will have statutory weight in shaping the future of Droitwich, differing from the previous Town Plan which was advisory.
The Neighbourhood Plan will cover the Town Council’s administrative area – which was designated for this purpose as a ‘Neighbourhood Area’ by Wychavon District Council in January 2017.
Aligning with the strategic policies of the South Worcestershire Development Plan, the Neighbourhood Plan will set out a positive vision for how Droitwich will develop in the period up to 2041. The vision will guide neighbourhood planning policies on new development, on things like housing, design and the town centre, to address local needs and requirements. The Plan will also include policies providing more detail on how key sites in and around the town centre, such as the Canal Basin, should be developed.
Communities that take a proactive approach by drawing up a Neighbourhood Plan and securing the consent of local people in a referendum, will benefit from 25 percent of the revenues from the Community Infrastructure Levy arising from the development that takes place in the area.
Frequently asked questions
