Major milestone for Belchford and Fulletby as new Neighbourhood Plan is made
A newly made Neighbourhood Development Plan for Belchford and Fulletby will help shape the Lincolnshire Wolds villages until 2041, following the support of residents.
The Plan has been approved following a local referendum by East Lindsey District Council in the villages last month, with almost 90% of residents who voted supporting the proposals.
Covering the next 16 years, the Plan was prepared with Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council and extensive input from residents. It sets out policies to guide future development, ensuring that growth is sustainable, respects the villages’ heritage, and protects the unique character of the Lincolnshire Wolds as a designated National Landscape and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Neighbourhood Development Plan now sets out a clear vision for the future of the two villages, to allow limited, controlled residential and commercial development that retains their integrity and character while supporting the local economy.
The plan includes a range of key policies designed to protect what makes the area special, including the safeguarding of historic features, maintaining the open landscapes and views of the Wolds, and preserving cherished local green spaces such as the land behind the Blue Bell Inn.
It also addresses settlement density and design to ensure new development fits the rural character, encourages smaller homes to meet local needs, and introduces a Dark Skies Policy to protect from light pollution. In addition to planning policies, the plan identifies community projects aimed at improving local amenities and promoting sustainability.
Cllr Tom Ashton, East Lindsey District Council portfolio holder for planning, said: "Creating a Neighbourhood Plan is a huge milestone for any community, and particularly so for smaller villages such as Belchford and Fulletby, and the successful local referendum shows that this has genuine local support.
“I am especially proud to have supported this process through East Lindsey's Planning Policy Committee, particularly in ensuring the open space which means so much to people locally is properly protected."
The council will now incorporate the plan into the wider Development Plan for East Lindsey, ensuring that future planning decisions reflect the priorities and aspirations of the local community. The plan and other key documents can be viewed on the council’s website at https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/article/17150/Belchford-and-Fulletby-Neighbourhood-Development-Plan