The Parish Council hosted a Cotswold District Council (CDC) Local Plan/National Trust (NT) Masterplan briefing meeting on Monday 18th March.
We were joined by representatives from Windrush, Clapton, Farmington, and Aldsworth Parish Councils. Additionally, Sherborne TANT, Sherborne Brook Support Group, and Sherborne House/Stables were also represented. Circa 25 people.
The meeting started at 4:30pm and lasted for 75 minutes.
James Brain (CDC Head of Planning) and Andrew Danson (NT ‘Big Nature Better Access’ Project Manager) kindly gave short presentations and took questions from the floor.
The meeting was very useful and added further understanding to the consultation process relating to CDC proposed Policy EN18. The purpose of the policy is to define the things that a future NT Estate Masterplan should take account of and include. It is not the Masterplan itself.
CDC and NT agreed to regular formal community consultation to help guide development of the Policy and associated NT Masterplan. Details of attendees and dates will be circulated once confirmed.
CDC has listed a number of criteria for public comment as part of the Local Plan consultation. These are included within the attached presentation slide decks and are listed below.
Do have a look through the meeting documents and please remember to provide your feedback to CDC before 7 April (CDC Local Plan Policy EN18 feedback and click the ‘Take the survey’ button).
The Parish Councils are in the process of creating a joint response document and will include all written feedback received from Parishioners.
CDC has listed a number of criteria for public comment as part of the Local Plan consultation and are listed below. CDC is keen to hear our views on the criteria below. It may be straightforward to copy the text below and write in your thoughts item by item.
Criteria for public comment (by 7 April) – What do you think of these? Are additional criteria required? This is your opportunity to influence things.
A National Trust Masterplan for Sherborne Estate should include:
- Comprise a vision and objectives;
- Describe and assess the landscape, ecological, historic environment, and other significant assets of the Estate;
- Maximise opportunities for sustainable travel to and through the Estate, ensuring maximum inclusive access to nature and the countryside and to the historic environment;
- Demonstrate how increased recreational access can be achieved without compromising the environmental characteristics of the Estate and adversely affecting the local community;
- Set out an interpretation and education framework for the Estate, including potential outreach proposals;
- Ensure that the character of the parkland setting and the wider AONB are enhanced;
- Set out proposals for the retention of existing and the creation of new habitats that will deliver strategic scale nature recovery;
- Explore opportunities for the generation of renewable energy within the Estate;
- Describe how farming enterprises will benefit from the Masterplan and continue to operate within the Estate;
- Include a phasing programme for the construction, reuse or demolition of existing redundant buildings, new buildings, and infrastructure within the site;
- Explore opportunities for small scale rural affordable housing or low-cost housing to support those employed by the Estate to support the management of the Estate; and
- Describe how the local community and relevant stakeholders have influenced the masterplan and how they can continue to be involved in shaping the Estate.
