Rushcliffe Borough Council is to make a decision regarding the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan, when it on 5 December 2024.
The decision, which will determine whether the plan proceeds to a public referendum, comes after months of examination, consultation, and debate over its future.
The Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan, crafted by Tollerton Parish Council in collaboration with the local community, seeks to shape the future development of the parish by incorporating local policies that will form part of the statutory Development Plan.
The Borough Council’s role as the local planning authority, under the Localism Act 2011, has been to assist in the production of the plan and to ensure it meets legal and procedural requirements.
The plan was initially submitted to Rushcliffe Borough Council on 14 June 2023 and subsequently assessed by an independent examiner. The examiner’s report, published in January 2024, recommended that the plan proceed to a public referendum, subject to a number of modifications. In September 2024, the Borough Council’s Cabinet reviewed the examiner’s recommended modifications and accepted all but three—specifically modifications 5, 6, and 20.
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The three modifications in question include provisions related to the relationship between the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan and the Strategic Allocation East of Gamston/North of Tollerton in the Local Plan Part 1, clarification on the relevance of Green Belt policies, and the proposed merging of policies regarding local character, heritage assets, and landscape character. The Borough Council deemed these modifications unnecessary to meet the basic statutory conditions.
A public consultation followed the September decision, and the Council received representations from five stakeholders, including Historic England, National Highways, the Environment Agency, the Coal Authority, and Vistry Group. Notably, none of the four public authorities raised objections to the Council’s decision, while Vistry Group expressed support for the modified plan. Based on the consultation responses, the Council is now expected to confirm its decision to reject modifications 5, 6, and 20, and proceed to the next step.
If the Council decides in favour, a referendum will be held within the designated neighbourhood area, covering the Parish of Tollerton.
Residents will be asked whether they support the use of the Neighbourhood Plan in determining planning applications for the parish. The referendum, expected to follow a similar format to local elections, will see voters respond to the question: “Do you want Rushcliffe Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Tollerton to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” A simple majority vote in favour would result in the plan becoming part of Rushcliffe’s statutory Development Plan.
The Neighbourhood Plan is designed to preserve Tollerton’s rural character, safeguard its heritage, and ensure sustainable growth that meets the needs of the community. It includes policies to protect local green spaces, enhance biodiversity, and promote high-quality design in new developments. The plan also aims to retain vital community services and facilities, ensuring that Tollerton remains a thriving working village. If adopted, planning applications within the parish would have to comply with both the Rushcliffe Local Plan and the Tollerton Neighbourhood Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The referendum decision could also have financial implications for the Council, which can claim £20,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government once the date for the referendum is set. This financial support would help cover the costs of organising the referendum and meeting statutory neighbourhood planning duties. The cost of the examiner’s fees—around £4,000—is also expected to be covered by this funding.
If a majority of voters back the Neighbourhood Plan, the Borough Council will be required by law to adopt it, ensuring that the community’s vision for Tollerton becomes a statutory guide for future development decisions. However, if the referendum result is negative, the Parish Council will need to reconsider its options.
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