Views wanted on Leigh and Bransford Neighbourhood Plan
Residents in Leigh and Bransford can have their say on proposed plans for future development in their parishes.
The draft Leigh and Bransford Neighbourhood Plan covers the period between 2022 and 2041 and sets out a vision and policies to guide development in the parishes.
The draft Plan proposes a site allocation for around 52 new dwellings and sports use on land off the A4103 in Leigh Sinton and includes policies to ensure that any new residential development would be appropriately designed. The draft Plan also includes policies to protect important views, and valued community and recreation facilities; retain existing wildlife habitats; protect and enhance Leigh Conservation Area; and proposes the designation of two new Local Green Spaces.
Neighbourhood Plans are a key part of the Government's localism agenda to give local people more of a say on issues such as where new homes, shops and offices should be built, and the design of new developments.
The Leigh and Bransford Parish Council have produced the document after working with the local community and have now submitted it to Malvern Hills District Council for final public consultation. This will start on Friday, 8 April and run to 5pm on Friday 20 May 2022.
Once the consultation is completed, the document will be subject to an independent examination and if approved a referendum will be held. If more than 50 per cent of voters in the parishes vote in favour of the plan, it will become part of the statutory development plan for Malvern Hills District, sitting alongside the South Worcestershire Development Plan, and will be used when determining planning decisions in the Leigh and Bransford parishes.
Councillor David Harrison, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Infrastructure and Flooding at Malvern Hills District Council, said: "I congratulate the Parish Council on the production of this draft plan. It is an important document which will guide the way the parishes grow and develop in the future, so it is really important that the people of Leigh and Bransford let us have their views on the plan and its proposals."
John Sharp, Chair of the Leigh and Bransford Parish Council, said: "The Neighbourhood Plan sets out the community's vision for Leigh and Bransford to be a rewarding place to live and work. It aims for a positive feeling of local identity in the dispersed communities of the parish where heritage, landscape and biodiversity can thrive in a protected, enhanced, sustainable and resilient environment."
The plan is available to view online at www.malvernhills.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning where people can also take part in the consultation by downloading and filling in the response form.
Comments can be emailed to
Paper copies of the draft Leigh and Bransford Neighbourhood Plan are available at the Leigh Sinton Post Office and the Fold Farm Shop, Bransford or can be obtained on request from Malvern Hills District Council at
ENDS