Westmorland and Furness Council has received an application from Sockbridge and Tirril Parish Council to designate the parish as a neighbourhood area.
If approved, the parish council would have the right to prepare their own neighbourhood plan or neighbourhood development orders.
Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area. A neighbourhood plan ultimately forms part of the Development Plan – policies which local authorities use to determine planning applications.
A six-week consultation period started on March 6 for representations on whether the area is an appropriate neighbourhood area. The consultation period closes at 5pm on 17 April.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said: “I would encourage anybody who has a view on whether or not the Sockbridge and Tirril parish is appropriate to become a neighbourhood area, with the right to produce a neighbourhood plan, to have their say. Neighbourhood plans are important documents for local planning decisions and give an opportunity for a place to be very clear about the development it sees delivering a sustainable future for their area."
A copy of the application form for the designation of a neighbourhood area, along with a map which identifies the area, can be viewed on the council's website or at the following locations:
• Voreda House, Portland Place, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7BF; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm;
• Penrith Library, St Andrew’s Churchyard, Penrith, Cumbria, LA14 2LD; Monday and Tuesday 9.30am to 6pm, Wednesday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm;
• Kendal Town Hall (public reception area), Highgate, Kendal, LA9 4ED: Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm; and
• Barrow Town Hall, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 2LD: Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.
Click here to view the application form and a map of the area.
The council would prefer to receive representations electronically via Citizen space. Click here to make a representation on Citizen Space.
Representations can also be made in writing to the Planning Policy team, Westmorland and Furness Council, Voreda House, Portland Place, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7BF. Please note that any comments received will be made publicly available.
Any comments received will be considered in the council’s decision on the designation. The decision must be made by the council within 13 weeks of the start of consultation.