Cass Associates has been commissioned by North Claines Parish Council to assist it with producing a Neighbourhood Plan for the area.

The Parish – (see link: www.northclainesparishcouncil.gov.uk  ) –  located in South Worcestershire is close to Worcester City.  It includes Fernhill Heath village and two Conservation Areas, Bevere and Droitwich Canal.  The River Severn runs along the western boundary and a large area of the Parish is included within Green Belt.

The Practice assisted the Parish Council, as a Neighbourhood Forum, in its application for Neighbourhood Area designation to Wychavon District Council (WDC).  The application was approved by WDC on 28 May and North Claines Parish is now formally designated a Neighbourhood Area.

The Parish Council held its second formal public engagement exercise on the Neighbourhood Plan on Saturday 18 May at the Fernhill Heath Memorial Hall.  Cass Associates produced a number of exhibition boards and maps that provided a portrait of the Parish. There was also a slide presentation on the neighbourhood plan process for attendees to watch.

Peter Hamilton, Planning Partner attended the Open Day event. He commented:  ‘There was a steady flow of people over the 4 hours and the majority of people stayed for 15-20 minutes.   There was real interest in the process and how neighbourhood planning could influence future development.  Hopefully it will provide a solid platform to widen awareness and understanding of neighbourhood planning as the Neighbourhood Forum start developing a vision and strategy for the future of the area’.