Following a 'yes' vote in the referendum on 11 December 2014, West Dorset District Council officially 'made' the Cerne Valley Neighbourhood Plan on 8 January 2015. This is the first Neighbourhood Plan in Dorset to be completed.
West Dorset District Council has taken the decision to make the Cerne Valley Neighbourhood Plan (as modified in accordance with the Examiner's recommendations) part of the development plan for the Cerne Valley neighbourhood area. The Report to Council and the Decision Statement are also available.
Referendum result
The result saw votes cast in favour of YES were 301 and those cast in favour of NO were 26.
Those entitled to vote in the referendum must have lived in the area (the parishes of Cerne Abbas, Godmanstone, Nether Cerne and Upcerne), were on the electoral register to vote in local council elections and were 18 years of age or over on 11 December 2014.
If no other issues come to light, the plan will then be confirmed at the next Full Council meeting in January and used to make decisions on planning applications.
Neighbourhood Plan Examination
Deborah McCann, the appointed Independent Examiner of the Cerne Valley Neighbourhood Plan, produced her report on the Cerne Valley Neighbourhood plan. She confirmed that she is satisfied that the plan meets the basic conditions and has recommended that it proceeds to referendum subject to some modifications.
West Dorset District Council has considered the examiner's report and is satisfied with the recommendations. The council has issued its decision statement. The plan as modified proceeded to local referendum which took place on 11 December.
Relevant documents about the plan and referendum
- The Report to Council on 8 January 2015
- Cerne Valley Neighbourhood Plan - made part of the development plan for the area by the District Council
- Decision Statement on behalf of West Dorset District Council, 8 January 2015
- General information statement, which includes general information as to town and country planning including neighbourhood planning and the referendum
- Independent examiner's report on the Cerne Valley Neighbourhood plan
- The neighbourhood plan as modified
- The decision statement, which includes a statement by the local planning authority that the plan as proposed meets the basic conditions
- Basic Conditions Statement produced by the Parish Council
- Consultation summary produced by the Parish Council for the period leading up to the examination
- Facts and figures document produced by the Parish Council and submitted as evidence for the examination
- Cerne Valley Neighbourhood Plan newsletters (Issue 1, Issue 2 and Issue 3)
The local community have also set up their own website. Additional information can be be viewed on the Cerne Valley Neighbourhood Plan website.