What are the advantages of having an up-to-date NDP?

An up-to-date Neighbourhood Development Plan gives Hullavington much more influence over how the village develops over the coming years.

It can’t stop all development, and it can’t override national planning policy or Wiltshire Council’s Local Plan. But it can help ensure that if development does happen, it reflects the needs and priorities of our community.

An up-to-date NDP can help:

· Influence where development takes place

· Shape the type of homes that are built

· Protect green spaces and village character

· Secure community benefits alongside development

· Support local facilities

· Give the community a stronger voice in planning decisions

Perhaps most importantly, an up-to-date NDP gives the community a stronger voice. Rather than simply reacting to planning applications as they arise, it allows residents to help shape a long-term plan for Hullavington’s future, and have more certainty around how our village will develop in the coming years.

An up-to-date NDP won’t stop change happening. It gives the community the best opportunity to influence what that change looks like and ensure it delivers real benefits for Hullavington.

How are community benefits secured?

When new housing developments are approved, developers are often required to provide facilities or contribute towards improvements that help support the local community. These are known as ‘community benefits’.

The main way these are secured is through a Section 106 Agreement – a legally binding agreement between the developer and Wiltshire Council, negotiated as part of the planning application process.

Depending on the development, a Section 106 Agreement can include requirements such as:

· affordable housing

· public open space and children’s play areas

· Community Land

· landscaping and biodiversity improvements

· walking, cycling and riding routes

· financial contributions towards local infrastructure, where appropriate.

Every significant development has its own Section 106 Agreement. These agreements are tailored to the specific development being proposed – they are not generic agreements used for every site.

Once the agreement is signed, these obligations become legally binding and remain attached to the land, even if the developer later sells the site to another company.

The Neighbourhood Development Plan plays an important role in this process. While it doesn’t write the Section 106 Agreement itself, it sets out the community’s priorities and planning policies. This gives Wiltshire Council a much stronger basis for negotiating the benefits the community wants to see delivered.

Qualifying developments are liable to pay the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), although some types of development, including affordable housing, are exempt. CIL is used to help fund infrastructure needed to support growth.

Because Hullavington has an adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan, the Parish Council receives a larger share of any CIL generated within the parish than communities without an NDP. This funding can be used to improve local infrastructure and community facilities, with spending decisions made by the Parish Council based on the needs and priorities of the village.

Further information about any Section 106 Agreements or CIL funding associated with the proposed development sites will be shared as the planning process progresses.

The NDP cannot guarantee every community benefit will be delivered. But it gives Hullavington the strongest possible foundation for securing them through planning policy and legally binding agreements.