On Wednesday 19th December, Rugby MP Mark Pawsey asked the Communities and Local Government Secretary of State, Eric Pickles MP, to reassure residents of Coton Park Residents Association that they will have enough funding to complete their Neighbourhood Plan. Neighbourhood Plans are part of the Government’s changes to planning policy and help make planning decisions become more localised.
Speaking afterwards, Mark said:
“There is no doubt that Neighbourhood plans can now play a key part in our country’s planning policy. For the first time, local residents can have a direct say in the planning of developments in their area”.
Mark continued:
“Coton Park Residents Association is one of the country’s frontrunners in compiling their Neighbourhood plans. They are at the forefront of this new local agenda. I was glad I was able to ask the Secretary of State to reassure Coton Park that they will be given enough funds by the Government to carry on with their Neighbourhood Plans”.
Mark concluded:
“In answer to my question, the Secretary of State said that £25,000 will be made available for help with administrative costs such as the costs of a referendum. Of course this is a matter that I will be keeping abreast of and I will continue to do all I can to support Coton Park Residents Association in their pioneering bid for more local planning powers”.