Villagers fighting to protect their community from unwelcome development were told that a neighbourhood plan could be their best form of defence.
A packed public meeting in Hutton Rudby, organised by Rishi Sunak MP, heard Government planning expert John Howell MP explain how neighbourhood plans were the way for local people to exert some control over how their communities grew in the future.
Mr Howell, who helped create Government policy on neighbourhood plans, said a robust plan drawn up by a parish council which identified areas for future development and laid down guidelines for design and layout could help villages like Hutton Rudby fend off speculative and inappropriate proposals from developers.
He said: “Some developers will exploit any weakness in the local planning framework. The best defence is a neighbourhood plan which clearly has the support of the local community backed up by a bigger district-wide plan drawn up by the local council.
“I can’t guarantee a neighbourhood plan will see off every unwelcome proposal but I can tell you that with a neighbourhood plan in place, you will be in a much stronger position.”
Mr Sunak had invited Mr Howell, MP for Henley, to come to the village after constituents contacted him about a number of development proposals around Hutton Rudby. It is understood that up to eight sites have been suggested for inclusion by developers in the local plan currently being drawn up by Hambleton District Council.
Mr Sunak said: “I was very grateful to Mr Howell for travelling up from his constituency to attend the meeting. He gave some excellent advice which should help and encourage Hutton Rudby and other similar communities to create neighbourhood plans so they have a greater say in their futures.”
The public meeting was attended by members of the Hutton Rudby neighbourhood plan group, parish and district councillors and residents from nearby communities.
They asked Mr Howell a range of questions about the effectiveness of neighbourhood plans and how to go about creating one.
The MP urged those present to work closely with their communities and the local planning authority and move quickly. Those communities without an effective neighbourhood plan in place would be more vulnerable to speculative development proposals.
He also urged them to make sure their plans covered design. Too many plans only dealt with where development was thought appropriate and didn’t set out the type and style of buildings that would be acceptable.