Scheme to shape area's housing, infrastructure and planning for 15 years 'would fail'

A grassroots plan to shape a village’s future development “would fail”, according to an independent examiner. The Over Hulton Neighbourhood Plan had aimed to set out a vision for housing, infrastructure and other planning projects for the next 15 years. The plan was developed by the Over Hulton Neighbourhood Forum, but independent examiner David Kaiserman has said he does not believe the current plan can succeed.

Mr Kaiserman’s report said: “I have previously made it clear to the Over Hulton Neighbourhood Forum and Bolton Council that I had serious doubts about the ability of the submitted version of the Over Hulton Neighbourhood Plan to meet the ‘basic conditions’ which would enable it to proceed to referendum, and thus to become part of the development plan for the area. He added: “I am satisfied that, in its present form, the Plan would fail its examination. Under the relevant Regulations, it is open to me to complete my report on that basis.

The boundaries for the plan had already been set (Image: Bolton Council) “However, in order to be of assistance to the forum in particular, I have offered an informal meeting designed to ensure that the reasons for my assessment are fully understood, and to give the forum the opportunity to consider their next steps. “Such a meeting is not specifically provided for in the relevant regulations, but it is something which falls within the examiner’s discretion.” If the plan had been accepted, then it would then ha.