Thame Neighbourhood Plan Examiner’s Report Published

The Independent Examiner’s Report on the Thame Neighbourhood Plan has been published. Nigel McGurk has recommended that, subject to some minor amendments, the Thame Neighbourhood Plan should proceed to Referendum. He stated that the plan ‘begins to set a high standard for neighbourhood planning across the country.’

Key points from the Examiner’s Report include:

• In relation to consultation, the Plan not only meets its statutory obligations, but exceeds the standard requirements to such an extent that it provides an exemplary approach to public consultation in neighbourhood planning.
• The Plan’s approach to promoting good quality design is commended, through policies which are clearly distinctive to Thame.
• As one of the first neighbourhood plans in the country, and the first to contain land allocations and involve a Hearing, Thame Town Council had little in the way of precedent, or examples from elsewhere. To have produced a Plan of such high quality is a testament to the energy, commitment and hard work of all involved. As a result, the Thame Neighbourhood Plan reflects the passion and pride that local people have for the area.

The Referendum is set for 2nd May 2013.