NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Why the Neighbourhood Plan matters and the relevance to this 140 house proposal

FPG

9/21/20261 min read

Farnsfield Neighbourhood Plan

Our community’s vision for how the village should grow

What is the Neighbourhood Plan?
The Farnsfield Neighbourhood Plan was created to give residents a real say in how and where development happens in our village. It was written by residents, supported by a £10,000 Government grant, reviewed by Newark & Sherwood District Council (NSDC), independently examined, and approved by public referendum in 2017.

A Strong Community Mandate
The referendum delivered a clear result:
93.23% YES
6.77% NO
29% turnout — exceptionally high for a local planning vote.
This gave the plan a strong and democratic foundation.

What the Plan Agreed
Residents and NSDC agreed a sustainable growth level of 142 homes over 20 years. The plan was clear that growth should be proportionate to the size and character of the village, and that infill development should be used wherever possible.

What Has Actually Happened
Since 2017, Farnsfield has already delivered 204 new homes through developments, excluding individual houses, and barn conversions which were agreed also as meeting the Neighbourhood Plan’s growth target. This delivery happened in far less than the intended 20‑year period.

A further 140‑home development is now being prepared for submission. If approved, this would bring total new housing to 344 homes in the same 20‑year window.

Why We Are Told the Plan “No Longer Applies”
We are now told the Neighbourhood Plan carries less weight because:
• NSDC’s Local Plan is out of date
• NSDC does not have a five‑year housing land supply
• Government policy aims to deliver 1.5 million homes nationally
These are district‑ and national‑level issues — not village‑level ones.

Sustainability
Regardless of wider policy pressures, Farnsfield has already exceeded the housing growth agreed in the Neighbourhood Plan. Delivering 344 homes is not sustainable for a rural village with limited infrastructure, constrained road capacity, finite school and healthcare provision, and a strong rural identity.

The Neighbourhood Plan remains the most accurate expression of Farnsfield’s community vision and a vital reference point for responsible, sustainable development. post content

tro view our current NP click HERE or access the plan below under the Useful links banner