The Localism Act 2011 devolves more decision making powers to communities and Parish Councils. One of the key aspects to this Act is to enable local communities to produce a Neighbourhood Plan to shape the future of the local places where they live.

On 11th January 2012 Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone Parish Council formally established a Neighbourhood Planning Committee to formulate the Plan. The Committee comprised of Parish Council members who have met on a regular basis to prepare the Plan. The Plan was prepared in close consultation with local residents and businesses at every stage who have volunteered their time to provide feedback on the contents and priorities of the plan as it was developed.

The Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone Neighbourhood Plan area corresponds exactly with the Parish Council electoral boundary and was formally designated by Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) on 30th May 2013.

During its development the Plan has gone through each stage illustrated below.

Following successful completion of each of these stages the Plan was ‘made’ part of the ‘development plan’ for Taunton Deane. The policies it contains are used when making planning decisions.

A copy of the Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone Neighbourhood Plan is available here: BLC Neighbourhood Plan