Braunton Parish Council Advisory Discussion Meeting
The Council's next advisory discussion to consider planning applications will be held on Monday 25th September 2023 at 7pm on Zoom.
To join the meeting please use the following link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88378149992?pwd=c3lMcHl4NVdNUDdOcWNoUG0vTG5jQT09
Meeting ID: 883 7814 9992
Passcode: 225435
Agenda 25 September 2023
Braunton Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Results
On Thursday, 7 September 2023, seven years of dedicated hard work by volunteer members of the community were rewarded by a resounding vote 'YES' to the question.
"Do you want North Devon District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Braunton Parish to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"
An overwhelming 90 per cent of voters said they would like the document to be used to help inform future decisions about development and planning applications in the area.
There were 1,042 votes ‘yes’, 114 votes ‘no’ and 0 rejected papers.
The electorate was 6,428 with 1,156 ballot papers issued.
The turnout was 17.9%.
Put simply, this means that residents agree that the policies about land use within the Plan, concerning housing and the need for more affordable homes, protection of green spaces and the natural environment, protection of buildings used as community assets and supporting our local economy will have full weight when planning applications or development proposals are considered by Planning Officers – planning power at the most local level, focusing on the things that are important to those who live and work in Braunton.
The neighbourhood plan, which has been seven years in the making, was created by a steering group made up of individual members of the public and parish councillor. Parish Councillors and Steering Group Members are entirely voluntary roles and are not paid.
The Chairman of Braunton Parish Council Councillor Marguerite Shapland says “The adoption of the Braunton Area Neighbourhood Plan is a very important step forward in ensuring that the views of our community are taken into account when decisions are taken on planning applications. The Plan will provide for developments to meet the needs of the community and provide vital protections to our environment and local businesses.”
The Neighbourhood Plan will be formally adopted by North Devon District Council at their meeting on the 4th October 2023.
Declaration of Referendum Results
Statement of General Information
Braunton Neighborhood Plan Information Statement
Braunton Parish Neighbourhood Area map
Neighbourhood Plan Proceeds to Referendum
USEFUL FLOOD CONTACTS:
Sandbags
It is advisable to be prepared and not wait until flooding is forecast. Sand is available from local builders' merchants. Sandbags for filling are available from:
West Cross Garage on Chapel Street 24 Hrs 01271 812295.
Parish Council Offices during opening hours (01271) 812131.
Braunton Parish Council
Braunton is a large village in the South West of England situated 5 miles west of Barnstaple and 2 miles from the Braunton Burrows and Saunton Sands Beach. Braunton is in the centre of North Devon’s world class UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with the Burrows at its core. The Great Field on the edge of the village is one of the last remaining examples of medieval strip farming and is next to the reclaimed Braunton Marshes.
Braunton Parish Council is a small local council consisting of 13 elected councillors who are elected every four years to represent the parish. The council members operate on an entirely voluntary and non-party political basis. The Council elects a Chairman every year, who presides over the Council, which operates in accordance with the powers and duties afforded to local councils. Councillors are bound by legislation in this way they can act on behalf of the community and this is supported by various codes, regulations and standards. The Council employs a Parish Clerk, a Senior Council Officer, an Administrator, a Caretaker, a Maintenance Person and two Gardeners.
As a local council, Braunton Parish Council, operates at a level of council closest to the community, the other tiers of the council covering the area being North Devon Council and Devon County Council. Each tier of council has its own powers and responsibilities for the provision of services, the more strategic and wide ranging ones being at the higher and appropriate levels of council.
It is the Parish Council’s role to listen and understand the views of the local community, and councillors use their skills and local knowledge to assist and advise the higher tiers of authority on matters of local impact and importance. The Council sets an annual budget, funding for which is received largely through a demand on council tax payers in the Parish, known as the precept, which is collected on its behalf by the District Council.
Accessibility Statement