The plan was published in early February 2009; a  copy has been delivered to every household in the parish.

To read/print a copy of the complete plan, click on the pdf file, being the first file listed in the panel in the top right-hand corner of this page 

 

The initial preparation of the plan started in late 2007, and took almost 18 months to complete. Exhibitions, explaining what issues the Parish Plan is concerned with, have been held in each of the three villages of the parish, to update parishioners on the then progress-to-date.

A comprehensive survey was undertaken in March 2008, when each household was invited to complete a four-page, 70-question survey questionnaire. The replies given have been analysed and, where appropriate, majority-opinions and suggestions will be incorporated within the final Parish Plan document. See link in top right-hand corner of this page to study analysis of responses to this questionnaire

Background to Parish Plans

The government's 2000 Rural White Paper provided communities with an opportunity to transform their local environment, in the form of a Parish Plan. The Paper stated ... "Parish Plans should identify key facilities and services, set out the problems that need to be tackled and demonstrate how distinctive character and features can be preserved The key to the success of the Parish Plan lies in its local implementation, giving a community the opportunity to interpret and present their output in a diversity of ways".

To date around 3,000+ communities have produced a Parish Plan, either individually or by forming local clusters; so it is well-tried and tested These holistic documents comprise the socio-economic and environmental issues of a community and their proposed remedies.

This community, in common with many others, is growing and is changing all around us. Most people have strong views on whether this change is for the better or the worse, but unfortunately for the vast majority of individuals this is as far as their involvement will go. Parish Plan are intended to give everyone, in a community, the opportunity to influence the development of their surroundings.

Parish Plans are not intended to be 'cast in stone', but are intended to be evolving documents; outlining how a community would like to develop over the next 5-15 years, and usually include an action-plan detailing how these developments can be achieved.

In July 2007 DEFRA published their report, looking at the integration of Parish Plans into the wider systems of local government. This report looked at the development of Parish Plans, the extent to which they are integrated into the local government system, enabling factors that support integration and barriers to integration.

The focus fell into three main categories:

• the success with which Parish Plans have been integrated into local planning and service delivery procedures.
• the key problems that Parish Plans have faced with regard to integration into community planning.
• recommendations covering how problems might be overcome and how to share best practice.

While recognising the endeavours of dedicated groups of volunteers, the report highlighted the difficulties of getting Parish Plans integrated into the local planning systems. The Parish Council has made strong representation, to Broadland District Council, to ensure our Community Parish Plan is integrated into its community planning for the parish. The District Council has been very positive, receptive and helpful, in early discussions concerning the Community Parish Plan for Great and Little Plumstead and Thorpe End.