Keele neighbourhood plan proposal documents

Version: 1.1

Date: May 2025

Contents

Introduction

Summary of community engagement

Pre-submission consultation (Regulation 14)

Introduction

This consultation statement accompanies the submission of the Keele neighbourhood development plan. It summarises the earlier community engagement and includes a detailed analysis of representations received through the Regulation 14 consultation. It shows how the requirements of Regulations 14 and 15 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) have been satisfied.

Summary of community engagement

Community and stakeholder engagement (Pre-Regulation 14)

Community and stakeholder engagement has been undertaken throughout the plan-making process and has informed the aims and policies of the neighbourhood plan, together with evidence and data on various issues.
  
Engagement activities included:

• formation of a Keele neighbourhood plan group with members of the community, Keele University and Keele Parish Council: May 2016

• creation of an email circulation list: June 2016

• production of Keele neighbourhood plan Website: June 2016

• creation of a Keele neighbourhood plan Facebook page: June 2016

• drop in events for the community: November 2016

• initial meetings with local businesses and school: November 2016

• initial questionnaires to the community: Feb 2017

• initial questionnaires to students at Keele university: May 2017

• ongoing updates in parish council newsletter, Facebook, website and bulletin: ongoing

• options consultation events: Jan 2018

• consultation on local green space designations with the community and landowners: June 2021

• direct mailings to residents and local businesses

• stakeholder consultation for regulation 14: February 2021

• residents’ consultation for regulation 14: February to March 2021

• use of parish council noticeboards, university and local business locations to display posters advertising events, including the regulation 14 consultation: ongoing

Key issues

The main planning issues identified by the community and stakeholders were:

• preserving the rural character and historical assets of the parish

• preventing excess housing development and maintain protection offered by green belt from urban sprawl

• preservation of existing green space and historic parks and gardens

• reducing traffic congestion, speeding and encouraging sustainable transport

• improving public transport links by increasing number of destinations buses go to

• illegal parking

• improvement of local shops

• improved community facilities

• development of children’s play area in within Keele village

• provision of a range of housing to maintain a diverse community. This should include social housing and smaller dwellings to allow for young people and for downsizing

• improvement to broadband

Pre-submission consultation (Regulation 14)

How the consultation was undertaken

Publicity

• The Regulation 14 consultation was advertised on the parish council web site, the Keele neighbourhood plan website, various Facebook groups including the Keele Parish Council Facebook page.

• Via the Keele Parish Council email bulletin.

• Notices were placed in Parish Council noticeboards, Silverdale and Town Libraries, Keele Practice surgery, St John’s Church porch, Keele Student Union, student residences, bush shelters in Keele.

• Social media: Keele Parish Council Facebook page, Save our Greenspace Facebook page, Keele Community Facebook page.

• Flyers were delivered to all residences in the ward.

Accessibility

• Copies of the neighbourhood plan were placed in Silverdale Library, Town library, St John’s Church porch, Keele Student Union.

• The plan was made available on the Parish Council web site, together with links to key supporting documents.

• Four drop-in events were held at Keele Village Hall (x2), St John’s Church, Keele University.

• People were invited to respond on-line or in written form and at drop-in events.

Legal compliance

The consultation has undertaken against the context of Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 and also consultation case law, including compliance with Gunning principles. The plan was at a ‘formative stage’, so capable of amendment. The plan was made available, with supporting information, to allow ‘intelligent consideration’. The consultation as open for six weeks, so allowed ‘adequate time for consideration and response’. Representations made have been given ‘conscientious consideration’, as set out in the fourth section of this statement.

Statutory consultees

Local authorities

Neighbouring local authorities

Parish councils

Neighbouring parish councils

Consultation bodies

Electronic communications code operators

Primary care trust

Utilities

Vountary organisations etc.

Other consultees