Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan

A Neighbourhood Plan is primarily for use when making planning decisions. If a change is proposed within Dronfield then North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) must refer to the Neighbourhood Plan to ensure that the proposals are in keeping with its policies. However, Dronfield has chosen to use this opportunity to set out a vision for the town and identify a number of projects which will improve it and create a better future for residents and visitors.

Dronfield sits within the North East Derbyshire District which as a whole is currently subject to the development of a Local Plan. In addition NEDDC commissioned a report entitled Dronfield 2035 which developed a vision and strategy for the town centre. Dronfield's Neighbourhood Plan acknowledges the vision, objectives and strategy of the Local Plan and the Dronfield 2035 document. The Town Council however wished to create a plan which specifically addressed the needs of the town.

In July 2016 a Steering Group was formed, chaired by the Leader of the Council. By September 2016 Dronfield was officially designated as a neighbourhood area for the purposes of Section 61G of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

During 2017 and 2018 a series of consultation events were held as part of an informal consultation process on the emerging plan. Comments received were reviewed and the plan updated accordingly where appropriate.

The Town Council has very much welcomed comments and thoughts from residents, landowners, developers and the local community and business organisations or anyone else with an interest in how Dronfield develops.

At the December 2018 Council Meeting the Town Council resolved to submit the latest draft version of the Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan to North East Derbyshire District Council. The District Council undertook a further public consultation on the Plan for 6 weeks before the Plan was subjected to an independent examination. A referendum was held on Thursday 24th October 2019, and was successful, so NEDDC will "make" the Plan and it will be used to help determine planning applications.

In accordance with Regulation 15 of the Neighbourhood Plan (General) Regulations 2012, the following documents will also be submitted and copies can also be seen below:

• Designation Map of the Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan Area.
• The Submission Draft of the Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan.
• The Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement.
• The Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan Basic Conditions Statement.
• The Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening and Habitat Regulations Assessment Report.

If you have any queries regarding the Neighbourhood Plan please email joanne.mitchell@dronfield.gov.uk

A copy of the final Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed on North East Derbyshire District Council's website by clicking here.

A Referendum relating to the Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan was held on Thursday 24th October 2019.

A copy of the FINAL DECISION STATEMENT can be viewed by clicking here.

A copy of the referendum version of the plan can be viewed by clicking here.

A copy of the information statement can be viewed by clicking here.

A copy of the specified documents (those listed below) were available to be inspected at the following locations before the referendum:

 North East Derbyshire District Council, District Council Offices, 2013 Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 6NG between 9am – 4.30pm

 The following locations in the Plan area:

o Dronfield Town Council Offices, Dronfield Civic Centre, Dronfield, S18 1PD

o Dronfield Library, Manor House, High Street, Dronfield, S18 1PY

 Online on the Council's website:- https://www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/index.php/neighbourhood-planning

For more information regarding the referendum please contact the Electoral Services Team at North East Derbyshire District Council on 01246 217068.

A copy of the correspondence received from the independent examiner can be seen below;

Further information about the independent examination can be found on North East Derbyshire District Council's website by clicking here.

A copy of the submission draft Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to North East Derbyshire District Council on 23rd January 2019 and can be found below.

The Consultation document provides a summary of the engagement that took place in developing the draft Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan.

It has been prepared in part to fulfil the legal obligations of the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012. Section 15(2) of Part 5 of the Regulations sets out what a Consultation Statement should contain.

According to the Regulations, a Consultation Statement:

a) contains details of the persons and bodies who were consulted about the proposed neighbourhood development plan;

b) explains how they were consulted;

c) summarises the main issues and concerns raised by the persons consulted;

d) describes how these issues and concerns have been considered and, where relevant, addressed in the proposed Neighbourhood Plan.

The Dronfield Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group was established under the auspices of Dronfield Town Council to oversee the development of the Plan. The Group identified that strong and effective consultation was key to the successful development and implementation of the Neighbourhood Plan. In particular, the consultation aimed to:

• Inform as many local people, community groups and other relevant bodies and stakeholders as possible of the existence of the Neighbourhood Plan and its development and;
• Seek their views on the policies and proposals being developed by the Working Group.

A copy of the Consultation Statement and appendices can be found below.

Copies of the maps referred to in the Neighbourhood Plan can be seen by clicking on the links below;

Copies of the various appendices referred to in the Neighbourhood Plan can be found by clicking on the links below;

A list of the supporting evidence base can be seen below with links to the relevant website or documents, where available.

DCLG National Planning Policy Framework, 2012
2005 North East Derbyshire District Local Plan
Conservation of Habitats & Species Regulation 2012
2017 CEBR The Best Places to Live and Work – 2017 update
NEDDC Draft Local Plan 2017
Consultation results report - March 2017, February 2018 and September 2018
2011 Census
Public Health Marmot Indicators 2015
School Performance Tables
Settlement role & function study 2013
Localism Act 2011
Areas of Multiple Environmental Sensitivity 2013,Technical Support Document 1, Derbyshire County Council
The Landscape Character of Derbyshire, Derbyshire County Council 2013
Historic Environment Study, The Constrained North, November 2012 Final Draft
NEDDC Green Infrastructure Plan
Moss Valley Biodiversity Study (DCC Countryside and Natural England, 2005)
UK Biodiversity Action Plan
Green Belt Infrastructure Study 2012
Green Belt Functionality Study Expanded Report 2015
Landscape Character Descriptions - Derbyshire County Council, 2015
Dronfield 2035: A Vision for the Town
Transport Studies report NEDDC
NEDDC Town Centre Health Check 2013
NEDDC Retail Capacity Study 2008
NEDDC, Dronfield Conservation Area Character Statement, May 2000
- Part One
- Part Two
NEDDC, Dronfield Woodhouse Conservation Area Character Statement, November 2002
- Part One
- Part Two
- Map
NEDDC, Coal Aston Conservation Area Character Statement, November 2003
- Part One
- Part Two & Map
David Hey, Medieval and Tudor Dronfield, Books at the Barn, 2015
David Hey, The Houses of the Dronfield Lead Merchants, Books at the Barn, 2015
Potential Brownfield Sites - resident suggestions during consultation
Proposed Dronfield Character Buildings & Structures of Local Heritage Interest - Photos
Dronfield Town Character Buildings and Structures of Local Heritage Interest - Supporting Evidence
Dronfield Proposed Local Green Spaces - Supporting Evidence
Dronfield Housing Needs and Characteristics Report: Supporting Evidence, Andrew Towlerton Associates, 2018