UPDATE: JANUARY 2026

An initial grant of £5,000 is still available from

Breckland District Council to assist in fees

for Neighbourhood Plans even after the end of

the central Government funding,

 

Breckland believes NPs to be a central tool in

any strategy to enable local voices on planning

and development issues, and is therefore

continuing their support until such time as the

new Unitary Authority is established. 

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Griston Parish Council has decided to apply for

this funding in early 2026-27 and use it to

undertake the initial NP activities with our

selected Consultant. As Griston had already

filed - and had Breckland accept and publish -

our Area Designation, we are already underway.

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The first working group workshop with the

Consultant will be held in March 2026.

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UPDATE: AUGUST 2025

Central Government has decided to withhold the 2025-26 funding round pending decisions over Local Government reorganisation. It follows that we are now unable to push ahead with commencement of the NP until revised funding arrangements are put in place, which we are told should be by the end of 2025.

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The Parish Council has decided to commence a Griston Neighbourhood Plan, which, if accepted by the village, will give us a greater degree of control over Griston's future development.

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Just how this might be affected by the new government's approach to the planning system  remains to be seen, but if we don't start, we can't finish!

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Neighbourhood Plans were introduced by the Localism Act 2011. They give local people an increased say in the future of their communities, and once adopted they become statutory documents, meaning they have to be taken into account when planning applications are considered.

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Again, this might now change with the Government's declaration to maximise house building developments, potentially against community wishes.

 

A Neighbourhood Plan must reflect local needs and these are first canvassed before starting in a local consultation. They are then later confirmed at the final stage in a local referendum when villagers vote to say whether they agree with the Plan and want it to go ahead. 

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Neighbourhood Plans are not standalone documents that allow communities to decide everything about development; but they form part of - and align with - the national, county and district council's local plan. They do, however, place village opinions and priorities at the forefront, and as a Statutory Document, have to be taken into consideration.. 

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The initial consultation with our villagers will be via a postal questionnaire to all households, and this will be issued once we set up the team and notify Breckland Council of our intention. You can expect this in the next three months.

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Producing a Neighbourhood Plan is a significant exercise and will take up to three years to go through all the stages required by law. The plan will be written and compiled by Committee, which will report into the Parish Council. When the Committee meets at key stages of progress, it will be in public with defined agendas, including public input. Smaller parts of the work below the Committee will be undertaken by Working Parties.

 

We would be grateful for offers of assistance from villagers, whether is distributing questionnaires, helping with canvassing, writing, research, proof reading, etc. 

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The good news is that Neighbourhood Plans are just about 100% funded by central Government grants, including paying for a specialist consultant to guide us, all printing and postal costs, as well as the cost of the final public voting exercise. 

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This is an exciting opportunity for the village to take a greater say in our own affairs and the Parish Council is relishing the challenge and looking forward to reaping the benefits.

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To see the level of work and commitment needed - and understand the process - please take a look at the Neighbourhood Plan Roadmap, published by Locality.

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The specific Government website covering the subject is https://neighbourhoodplanning.org., as well as at the Ministry website Neighbourhood planning - .gov.uk

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Updates will be posted on this website, on the Griston Community Facebook page and, of course, in The Waylander!