Gargrave Parish Council has formally submitted its Neighbourhood Plan to Craven District Council, and members of the public are being invited to comment.

A six-week consultation period will run from Monday June 25 to Monday August 6, when the submission plan and accompanying documents can be viewed on Craven District Council’s website at www.cravendc.gov.uk/gargrave and also at Gargrave and Skipton libraries.

This is the first Neighbourhood Plan to be formally submitted to Craven District Council, and follows the designation of the Gargrave Neighbourhood Plan Area in January 2014.

Councillor Peter Ward, Chairman of Gargrave Parish Council, said: “The Gargrave Neighbourhood Plan will guide new development proposals in the Neighbourhood Area up to 2032.

“It includes policies relating to housing, employment, protecting the environment, green spaces and character of Gargrave together with policies relating to infrastructure.

“This consultation is an opportunity for the public to submit representations on the submission Gargrave Neighbourhood Plan, which will then be considered during an independent examination.”

To make a representation, please email localplan@cravendc.gov.uk or post to Planning Policy, Craven District Council, 1 Belle View Square, Broughton Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1FJ. Responses should make clear whether they wish to be informed of the outcome of the neighbourhood plan examination in accordance with Regulation 16 (iv) of the 2012 Regulations.

After the public consultation, the Neighbourhood Plan, accompanying documents and representations will be submitted for examination by an independent planning inspector.  The examination will consider whether the proposed Neighbourhood Plan meets certain basic conditions set out by law.

If the examination concludes that the Neighbourhood Plan is satisfactory, with modifications if necessary, Craven District Council will arrange for a referendum to take place. Anybody registered to vote in the area covered by the Neighbourhood Plan will be entitled to vote. If more than 50% of those voting vote ‘yes’ then Craven District Council will bring the plan into force.

Please contact the Council’s Planning Policy Team with any queries about the consultation arrangements by emailing localplan@cravendc.gov.uk or telephoning 01756 706472.