Neighbourhood Plan

Dear Neighbour

Here is an update on the progress with the Neighbourhood Plan (January 2024)

Since 2021 the Parish Council via the Little Dunmow Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group have been working hard to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan that reflects the wishes and aspirations of the residents of the parish.  So far, we have consulted with you at a variety of events to obtain your opinions, i.e. the late Queen’s Diamond Jubilee event in 2022 and the Coronation event in May this year and it was pleasing to see so many residents attend the open afternoon/evening of 4th November when you were invited to comment on the recently prepared and intended content of the Plan known as the Policy Intentions Document which sets out the overall intent of the plan and provides high level detail on what the plan will contain.  Following on this current round of engagement and consultation, a draft Little Dunmow Neighbourhood Plan is being prepared which will include your comments and feedback and other stakeholders, such as Uttlesford District Council.   

Our vision statement for the future of Little Dunmow is:

“To enhance Little Dunmow as a rural and historic parish with a mediaeval settlement style and a beautiful Magna Carta village at its heart:  for any new development to be sustainable and a beautiful inheritance for future generations:  to nurture the flourishing community spirit within the parish and the different hamlets:  to encourage enjoyment of the Flitch Way Country Park and the many pathways which lead to delight in the surrounding landscape and views across to five other parishes”.

Housing Needs Survey. This was sent out in January to get factual evidence from the residents in the Parish. A copy of the results will be available to view on June 5th at the Queens Jubilee celebration.

Design Code Package. This looks at the existing style of houses in the Parish and evidence gathered from consultation with residents. This information is used to propose codes of design to be included in the Neighbourhood Plan. These codes will become part of the planning process that developers will need to adhere to.

Landscape Assessment Study. From last years engagement day, we were told that the local countryside is very important to us all and we wouldn’t want it spoilt by badly sited development. This study will make a record of the views in the Parish and from this rate how potential development may have damaging effects.

Housing Needs Assessment. This report will use information gathered from the housing needs survey, information gathered at the engagement events and the last published census. It will then propose the number and type of housing needed in the Parish. We have to accept that some development will need to take place, we must make sure it gives us housing numbers and types that our community need and not what developers would prefer to build.

The Neighbourhood Plan team are also working towards developing policies, these will give the communities views on all manner of issues including.

  • Development.
  • Green issues.
  • Environment.
  • Transport.
  • Sustainability.

If you have any questions or would like more information than please contact either Jo, Sonia or Kevin.

Jo Pratt - geoffjo.pratt [at] gmail.com

Kevin French - kevinafrench89 [at] gmail.com

Sonia Merritt - caesoniamerritt [at] gmail.com