Relevant Date
New Neighbourhood Plan - Have Your Say
Have Your Say
Following a public survey and stakeholder discussions, the 'steering group’ has created draft proposals for both the update to and full revision of the Neighbourhood Plan.
The update, aiming to complete in the first half of 2023, focuses on the intended use of land set aside in 2017 for a new infant school and doctors’ surgery.
The full revision is wider-ranging and aims to reflect both emerging national/district policies and the latest community priorities. That revision is targeted to be finalised by 2024.
The work to date comprises:
1. Defining the proposed usage of land originally set aside for a new school and doctors surgery.
2. Creating a draft vision and topics for the new Neighbourhood Plan.
We'd like your feedback on our proposals. Perhaps you attended our recent drop-in sessions at St Johns village hall. If you still wish to provide feedback you can do so either HERE or by writing to Mortimer Neighbourhood Plan c/o The Library, 27 Victoria Road ((via front desk or letter box) or by emailing newnp@stratfield-mortimer.gov.uk.
Updated Neighourhood Plan - Defining the Use of Land Reserved behind Tower Gardens
The following was created in collaboration with the school governors, Mortimer Surgery, Oaktree Dental Practice, West Berkshire Council and the landowner.
background
i) Whilst there is no foreseeable need for a new larger school there is a need for and benefit from outdoor school sports and play facilities and natural habitat. This should ideally be located directly next to the school, for ease of access through the removal of the property to the south.
ii) Additional parking for school staff is still needed.
iii) Whilst there is a desire to offer additional medical services, that would warrant a larger premises, there is no foreseeable plan/funding to build a new surgery on that land.
iv) Oaktree Dental practice needs a larger premises and ideally wants to stay in Mortimer to continue to serve, in particular, its elderly and under 18 NHS patients.
v) Owners and prospective buyers of homes in Tower Gardens would like to know what that land will be used for.
proposed update to Neighbourhood Plan policy 10.2.1
1. To set aside up to 40% of the 1 Hectare for school sports and play facilities, natural habitat and parking for school staff vehicles. This plan will be achieved in one of two ways:
Preferred Option
Locate the new facilities directly behind (south of) the school, by demolishing the adjacent property. Under this proposal, approximately 20 age-restricted retirement homes would be built on part of the land , to fund the acquisition of the adjacent property. The creation of these properties would align with the Neighbourhood Plans requirement to support downsizing and be located close to the village centre. PLAN HERE (pdf opens in new window)
Alternative Option
The new outdoor school facilities to be located behind (to the south of) the existing property “Redwoods”, in the event that the property is no longer available when this Plan is agreed. PLAN HERE (pdf opens in new window)
2. To set aside land for a 300-500 square metre dental facility and associated parking.
3. To set aside the balance of the 1 Hectare for a doctors’ or other community facility and associated parking. If planning content has not been obtained within 5 years of the new plan, the need to retain this land will be reviewed.
New Neighbourhood Plan
Draft Vision
To ensure that the parish becomes more sustainable, environmentally aware, and responsive to climate change, placing this at the heart of the New Neighbourhood Plan. To seek to provide housing for local people and enable the enhancement of services and facilities appropriate for a modern rural parish sustaining its existing strong community spirit. To support improved and safer pedestrian and cycle connections throughout the village including to the schools and station, and support initiatives to deliver better parking facilities. To continue to retain the rural character and setting of the parish, with the minimum extension of the settlement boundary and intrusion on the existing surrounding green and agricultural space.
Draft Topics
There's a summary of draft topics here:
There are further details of the draft scope for each area here. We're keen to receive your comments and suggestions for change.
Climate and Energy (pdf opens in new window),
Natural Environment (pdf opens in new window),
Services and Facilities (pdf opens in new window),
Employment (pdf opens in new window),
Highways and Transport (pdf opens in new window)
Housing (pdf opens in new window),
Land and Street Scapes (pdf opens in new window)
Have Your Say
You can provide feedback on our draft proposals for the land that was set aside behind Tower Gardens and Topic for the new Neigbourhood Plan in one of three ways:
- Completing the short form HERE
- Writing to Mortimer Neighbourhood Plan c/o The Library, 27 Victoria Road ((via front desk or letter box)
- Emailing newnp@stratfield-mortimer.gov.uk.