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NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN FAQs

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  •  Is the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) another name for the Local Plan?

          No. The Local Plan is produced by the planning authority (Tunbridge Wells Borough Council) and it is applicable to              the whole of the borough, not just Hawkhurst.

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  •  Has Hawkhurst had a NDP before? Yes, we produced one in 2018 but it's quite out of date and needs renewing.​

 

  •  So will the new Hawkhurst NDP replace the Local Plan in Hawkhurst?

         No. Hawkhurst NDP and the Local Plan will sit together. Both have planning policies that will influence the way our             village is shaped in the future. The NDP cannot change policies within the Local Plan, but it can refine those policies           to make them more specific and relevant to Hawkhurst.

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  •  But do we really need a NDP?

        Most villages now have a NDP as it gives local communities greater control about the shape of their village.

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  •  When will the new NDP be completed?

        The new NDP should be completed by the end of 2025, you can find the full timetable here

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  • ​ Who is in charge of the new NDP?

        Hawkhurst Parish Council set up a Steering Group, mainly of residents, to work on its behalf to bring forward the              new NDP.  We work very closely with the Parish Council although we are independent from it and ultimately it will              be the Parish Council’s decision to approve the draft NDP to be submitted for adoption.

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  •  How can I have my say on the new NDP or help with it?

       We ran a big consultation event in January 2023 and that’s informing our current work. We will be consulting with             the Hawkhurst Community again on a number of occasions over the next year to share and firm-up the policies we             want for Hawkhurst. It is also likely that we will have a referendum on the new NDP in 202s. In the meantime you              could:

  •      join one of our working groups

  •      read the Consultation Output Report here and email us with your thoughts

  •      contact us on any issue affecting Hawkhurst that you feel is important

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ndphawkhurst@gmail.com can be used to communicate any ideas or problems you have identified, or to ask any questions about the NDP.

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