Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan decision statement

22 April 2025 and 9 May 2025

Decision

Following a referendum on 27 March 2025, in which 79% of those who voted did so in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and The Broads Authority have decided to 'make' (adopt) the Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan part of the Development Plan for Great Yarmouth Borough Council and The Broads Authority. This decision was taken at the Great Yarmouth Full Council meeting of 22 April 2025 and the Broads Authority meeting of the 9 May 2025, respectively.

Reasons for decision

In accordance with Regulations 15 and 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) the plan was submitted to the Borough Council and Broads Authority in April 2024, and then published and consulted in May 2024.

An independent examiner was then appointed to examine the plan in accordance with paragraph 7 of Schedule 4B to the 1990 Town and Country planning Act (as amended). The appointed Examiner examined the neighbourhood plan and published their report with recommendations that subject to modifications the plan meets the Basic Conditions and legal requirements, and that the plan can proceed to referendum. The respective decision to proceed to referendum and accept the examiner's modifications was taken in January 2025 at Great Yarmouth Borough Council and by the Broads Authority.

The Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Referendum took place on Thursday 27 March 2025. The results of the referendum were as follows:

'Do you want Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the Broads Authority to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves to help them decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?'

• 'Yes' - 417 votes 
• 'No' - 109 votes
• This is a majority of 526 valid votes (or 79% of the total votes cast)

If a neighbourhood referendum results in more than half of those voting in favour of the proposal then the Local Planning Authority must make the Neighbourhood Plan as soon as reasonably practical, unless it considers that this would breach or be incompatible with any retained EU obligation or any of the Convention Rights (within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998).

At their meetings of 22 April 2025 and 9 May 2025, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the Broads Authority respectively decided that Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan is not within breach of this legislation and that it should become part of the Development Plan for their areas.

Availability for Inspection

The Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan and Final Decision Statement are available for inspection at:

• The Belton with Browston, Burgh Castle and Fritton with St Olaves Neighbourhood Plan status page
• Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Hall, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2QF 
• The Broads Authority Neighbourhood Planning (opens new window) page

Further information

For any further information on this neighbourhood plan or the process please contact the Borough Council's Strategic Planning Team.