What’s next for our neighbourhood plan?

The Diss & District Neighbourhood Plan (DDNP) is a local planning document that will, once adopted, help shape the future development of Diss and the six neighbouring parishes of Roydon, Palgrave, Burston & Shimpling, Scole, Brome & Oakley and Stuston. While it can’t stop housing development, it gives communities (you!) a voice, empowering people to input into what’s built and where.

A big step forwards

Hundreds of neighbourhood plans are in place across the country. The DDNP is one of the most complicated, as it involves seven different parishes working in partnership across two different local authorities. But the good news is, after indepth consultation and collaboration, the final draft is nearing completion and will

soon be made available for you to read and respond to. All neighbourhood plans have to be consulted on by a wide range of statutory bodies, as well as the people living in the parishes they cover. The DDNP is now almost ready for the final stage of consultation (‘Regulation 14 Consultation’) when feedback will be collated and analysed, and any changes to the Plan can be made in readiness for submission to South Norfolk Council.

“The Diss & District Neighbourhood Plan is a project that’s very close to my heart,” says new Diss Town Mayor, Councillor Eric Taylor. “I’ve been involved in it from the beginning and am a strong believer in its power to help us deliver infrastructure improvements and good quality homes in preferred

locations, whilst protecting the town’s heritage and local green spaces.” It’s hoped that the DDNP consultation period, which must last six weeks, will start in the summer. If social restrictions are lifted, there may also be a public information display at a site in Diss where questions can be asked directly to members of the DDNP steering group. Watch this space!

The Diss & District Neighbourhood Plan is a project that’s very close to my heart. I’ve been involved in it from the beginning and am a strong believer in its power to help us deliver infrastructure improvements and good quality homes in preferred locations, ”whilst protecting the town’s heritage and local green spaces. Diss Town Mayor, Eric Taylor