Review of the NDP
Rolvenden Neighbourhood Plan Review
2025 to 2042
What is the Rolvenden Neighbourhood Plan?
Back in 2019, Rolvenden’s first Neighbourhood Plan was adopted by Ashford Borough Council as a formal part of the Development Plan. The Rolvenden Neighbourhood Plan (RNP) is a document that sets out a series of planning policies setting out how land should be used locally. The policies are also used to help determine planning applications in the parish. That Plan is still valid and being used by the Parish Council when commenting on planning matters. It covers the entire parish from the period 2013 and 2030. Click here to read the current Neighbourhood Plan 2013 to 2030.
Why are we refreshing the Rolvenden Neighbourhood Plan?
Whilst the RNP does not expire, it carries less weight in decision making as it gets older. This is because national policy is amended frequently and also the Ashford Local Plan is in the process of being reviewed (see more here).
That is why the Parish Council took the decision last year to refresh our Neighbourhood Plan. The new Plan will cover the period to 2042 and will reflect the latest planning legislation. It will continue to relate to the whole area of the parish.
Having an up-to-date Neighbourhood Plan is very important as it is our opportunity to influence the way our parish develops. Whilst it is not a mechanism to stop housing development (a modest amount may come forward via the new Ashford Local Plan), we can include policies to shape the look and feel of any development and also the sorts of infrastructure that should be provided alongside.
Who is leading on the refresh of the Plan?
A Steering Group comprising local councillors and residents has been set up to oversee the project. It meets monthly and the minutes are sent to the Parish Council for publication on the website.
The members of the Steering Group are: Denise Curtain (Chair), Duncan Murray (Vice Chair), Judy Vinson, Lisa Barwise, Andy Barwise, Antony Hinge, Ian Bray, Sue Hatt, Mike Geerts, John Bailey, Charles Balch and Guy Pullen. It is supported by our planning consultant, Alison Eardley.
What is in the new Neighbourhood Plan?
As we already have a Plan, we are not needing to start from scratch, rather we are refreshing what is in the current Plan and filling in any gaps as necessary. Following on from our public event last year and our Community Survey (which is still open if you’ve not completed it), we are working on the following:
- Promoting sustainable development – ensuring that development happens in the most sustainable locations, close to village services, is informed by local engagement, and contributes to improving connectivity.
- Supporting local businesses, community facilities, and the village centre – retaining our valued community assets to make sure our village remains vibrant.
- Protecting the environment – protecting our dark skies (see page 20 of the December Parish Magazine for an update on the recent Dark Sky event we held), protecting and enhancing our beautiful High Weald landscape and its habitats for wildlife, protecting valued green space and important viewpoints.
- Guarding against flooding – exploring ways to mitigate against flooding and ensuring that adequate drainage is in place.
- Promoting high quality, environmentally friendly design – making sure that any development contributes positively to our existing village and emphasising the need for design that helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Celebrating our rich heritage – identifying important local heritage assets that contribute positively to our identity.
- Making our villages more accessible – a challenging topic, but we want to make the Parish easier and safer for those on foot, on bike and recreationally horse riding.
How is the Plan being funded?
We have benefited from some grants from government to help with the Plan, but some budget will need to be set aside from the Parish Council.
When will we see what’s in the Plan?
In February, we will be hosting an event in the Village Hall to update you on the Plan and its content. Dates will be confirmed shortly. In the meantime, we include an article in every Parish Magazine. We also post regular updates on the Rolvenden Community Facebook page.
Get involved
We welcome anyone who wants to get more involved.
If you would like to get involved in the project, please email the Parish Clerk at: clerk@rolvendenparishcouncil.gov.uk