On the 24th March, East Herts District Council published the Referendum Information Statement for the Bengeo Neighbourhood Area Plan confirming that the referendum on the Plan will take place on Thursday, 6th May. Hertford – Bengeo Ward | East Herts District Council.
The Neighbourhood Plan was produced and written by local residents, with the support of a planning consultant and Hertford Town Council. Molewood Residents’ Association provided sponsorship funding towards the costs of producing the Plan.
The Neighbourhood Plan has 18 planning policies on green spaces, important views, nature conservation, air quality, community, heritage and cultural assets, sustainable travel, and residential and commercial development. On the 6th May, residents of Hertford Bengeo Ward, who are on the electoral register, can vote on whether they want East Herts District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area, up to 2033.
An article on how the Neighbourhood Plan progressed from a community meeting at Bengeo School in 2017, to the publication of the Plan in 2021, together with a copy of the Plan, is on www.lovebengeo.org.uk. Neighbourhood Plan responses to planning applications, and other information on the Plan is on News – Bengeo Neighbourhood Area Plan (lovebengeo.org.uk)
Residents of Hertford Bengeo Ward will receive a polling card with information on the referendum. Those who vote by post will be able to do so for the referendum. If residents vote in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan, it will be adopted by East Herts District Council and its planning policies will be given equal weight to those in the East Herts District Plan in deciding planning applications for the Neighbourhood Plan Area. A map of the Plan Area is on page 7 of the Plan. The Plan includes an Action Plan which sets out examples of local projects and initiatives the Plan will lend its support to, including traffic calming measures and increasing walking and cycling.
Please look out for your Neighbourhood Plan referendum polling card!
by Brenda Heninghem