The Submission Version of the Etwall Neighbourhood Plan has now been completed. It can be accessed here – Etwall Neighbourhood Plan.
This version was approved at the Parish Council Meeting on 3rd November 2025 and was submitted on 4th November 2025 to South Derbyshire District Council (SDDC).
SDDC will screen the Plan to see if it will trigger the need for a Strategic Environmental Assessment or a Habitat Regulation Assessment. It is a legal requirement that this is checked. This is a minimum 5-week consultation period.
Once SDDC determine that no Strategic Environmental Assessment or a Habitat Regulation Assessment is required, the Parish Council can submit the Plan to SDDC to start the formal approval process. At the end of the approval process, we hope that the Plan will be “made” (this is the formal term used to say that a Plan has been adopted and comes into force).
Key documents supporting the Plan
Etwall Neighbourhood Plan – Appendices
Etwall Neighbourhood Plan – Summary
Etwall Neighbourhood Plan – Traffic Review
Etwall Housing Needs Assessment (produced by AECOM)
Etwall Design Guidance and Code 2024 (produced by AECOM)
Background to the documents
Etwall Neighbourhood Plan – Summary – The Submission Version of the Plan is 93 pages plus Appendices, so the Working Group have written a summary that provides an overview of the Plan. We hope that this Summary provides an overview for all residents, which can point you to the detail which you want to review.
Etwall Neighbourhood Plan – Traffic Review – this contains all the detail for those of you who may want to see the full information regarding the very extensive traffic surveys and reviews carried out by the Working Group. This information has been used to develop the Policies in the Plan.
The Housing Needs Assessment was produced independently for the Working Group by AECOM. The assessment looks at the demographics of Etwall Parish, now, and assesses the future growth over the next 15 years. It analyses the population and the type of houses that we currently have compared to the type we will require in the next 15 years; it also provides an analysis and understanding of the role of the Parish within the wider housing market area.
The Etwall Design Guidance and Code 2024 analysis shows what makes Etwall Parish special and describes its unique characteristics. The report details the design code – so the style and appearance – that any future development should adhere to.
Please contact etwallndp@gmail.com if you have difficulty accessing any of the documents.
The Plan, along with all of the supporting documents, can also be found in the Document Library below.
What will residents see next?
Once the current screening process is completed, and the Plan is submitted to SDDC for approval, SDDC will carry out their own consultation. This is called the Regulation 16 Consultation. SDDC will consult residents, interested parties and other stakeholders to make any comments.
SDDC will appoint an independent Examiner, who will review the responses from the Regulation 16 Consultation and the Plan. They will then issue a report saying what modifications are needed before the Plan is then put to all residents in a referendum to decide if they want the Plan to be “made”.
The referendum is arranged by SDDC like a local election. If more than 50% of those who vote say yes to the question ‘Do you want the Etwall Neighbourhood Plan to be the Neighbourhood Plan for Etwall? Then the Plan is “made” and it forms part of the development plan for the District.
Summary of recent developments leading to the completion of the Plan (including Consultation carried out)
The Pre-submission Draft Neighbourhood Plan for Etwall Parish (2024-2041) was ratified at the Parish Council meeting on 7 April 2025 and, subsequently Pre-submission Consultation, in accordance with the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Section 14, was conducted.
This consultation period closed on Monday 11th August.
From this Consultation we received written representations from 9 organisations, and 20 residents responded on the Parish Council website. There were a total of 141 comments which we have considered, and based on these comments we have amended the Draft Plan as appropriate.
Following these changes a ‘Submission Version’ of the Plan was considered at the Parish Council meeting on 6th October 2025 and a final Version was endorsed at the Parish Council meeting on 3rd November 2025.
All the challenges made during the Consultation period will be included in a document called the ‘Consultation Statement’ which will be submitted to SDDC along with the Plan. This ‘Consultation Statement’ will show the response from the Working Group and confirms whether the Plan was changed in line with the challenge.
What were the key challenges we received?
We received responses on behalf of three Developers who objected to the Plan on the basis that there is no specific nomination of development sites in the Plan. We do not believe we need to nominate specific sites in the Parish as Etwall is not a self-contained Housing Market Area, it is part of South Derbyshire District which is in turn part of the Derby City Housing Market Area.
They also objected to the designation of the Areas of Landscape Sensitivity (ALS) we included in the Plan. Based on those challenges, we have re-evaluated the different ALS and explained in further detail why we believe they are important.
One resident made a challenge to the Plan saying that we had not considered the issues and challenges affecting local businesses. We have added a new section describing the size and importance of the business sector to the village.
The majority of comments from residents supported our stance that we want to retain the village’s character and identity, as well as retaining the village as a distinct settlement, with open fields separating us from neighbouring villages.
Why we are developing this Plan and what have we done so far
Over the past three years, the Working Group for the Neighbourhood Plan gathered evidence and commissioned reports about the Parish to write the Draft Neighbourhood Plan. Further details of our progress can be found in the Story So Far section below.
A Neighbourhood Plan gives communities the opportunity to take a pro-active role in developing a shared vision for their neighbourhood and to shape the development and growth of their local area. During the development of a Neighbourhood Plan, members of the community are asked to consider the local issues and concerns that affect them, their families, and their neighbours; and to identify what it is about their neighbourhood that they value and want to protect.
The Parish Council has consulted across the Parish to ensure that the final Neighbourhood Plan for Etwall Parish (2024-2041) reflects the views of the community. Whilst the Neighbourhood Plan has been produced based on the initial consultation in 2024, we need to know that the community agree, or otherwise, with the emerging Plan and consider any changes that need to be made.
Note: The Neighbourhood Plan for Etwall Parish covers the period up to 2041 in accordance with the time frame of the Local Plan for South Derbyshire; and the area covers the Parish of Etwall.
The Plan will have significant weight in the determination of planning applications; the policies form a framework which will, along with the supporting documents, guide development over the plan period. The Plan will be used by:
- The Planning Service at South Derbyshire District Council (the local planning authority) in assessing future planning applications.
- Developers as they prepare planning applications for submission to South Derbyshire District Council.
- The Parish Council in responding to consultations on applications, and
- Planning Inspectors to help assess planning applications.
The Neighbourhood Plan for Etwall Parish has been prepared by the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group with support from the qualifying body, Etwall Parish Council, and aided by a planning consultant funded by the Locality Grant Programme.
Following the pre-submission consultation, the Working Group has considered all the responses, amending the Plan as appropriate prior to submission to South Derbyshire District Council for wider consultation and independent examination. It will then be offered for a referendum within the Parish, and subject to a majority vote, will be brought into force within the Statutory Development Plan.
If you have any thoughts or feedback on the project, please contact etwallndp@gmail.com.
A Neighbourhood Plan is a Government funded initiative that enables communities to shape the development and growth of the local area. Neighbourhood Plans feed into and help to form the Local Plans which decide where and how development happens. The intention is to empower local people to take a proactive role in shaping the future of the areas in which they live.
The Etwall Neighbourhood Plan Working Group first confirmed the designated area for the Neighbourhood Plan before building an evidence base, collating existing research, and consulting with residents and businesses.
The evidence base informed the vision and aims of the Plan, subsequently forming a basis for policy proposals that are included in the Plan. Themes that the Working Group considered (but not limited to) included:
- Housing
- Environment
- Infrastructure
- Transport
- Education
- Local Economy
- Recreation and Leisure
- Freeport
The Plan will be submitted to South Derbyshire District Council who will check that it fits in with the strategic policies in their Local Plan, before arranging an independent examination of the plan. Following this a public referendum will take place. A referendum vote in favour by more than 50% of voters will mean that the Plan can be formally “made” (i.e. adopted by the South Derbyshire District Council.)
Ultimately the Neighbourhood Plan can only be a success if we can engage and receive good support from across the Parish. Everyone’s views count, so please don’t hesitate to make contact.
September 2022
- Launch event for the Etwall Neighbourhood Plan. A well-attended occasion with plenty of feedback received as to what residents consider the key issues within the Parish
November 2022
- Initial meeting takes place with the formation of the Etwall Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
December 2022
- Working Group agree on the designated area for the Neighbourhood Plan
- Roles and responsibilities document developed
January 2023
- Draft Terms of Reference for the Working Group created
- Project Plan documentation expanded, including the designation of initial roles and responsibilities during January meeting, and formulation of a risk register
- First draft of questionnaire and communication efforts (poster / magazine article) designed
- The Etwall Neighbourhood Plan designated area (the whole of the parish of Etwall) confirmed by South Derbyshire District Council (please see map in Document library)
February 2023
- Second iteration of the questionnaire and magazine article shared with the Working Group following initial feedback during monthly meeting
- Creation of a list of Etwall businesses and community groups
March 2023
- Feedback provided by the Working Group on the latest version of the questionnaire
- Housing Needs Assessment research begun
April 2023
- Meeting with Ian Hey and Amanda Vernon (Derbyshire Council) to discuss approaches to the Neighbourhood Plan
- Planning for future events (King’s Coronation and Etwall Well Dressing) undertaken
- Website text and design drafted
May 2023
- Attended the King’s Coronation event and Etwall Well Dressing – raising awareness of the project and gaining valuable insights into local residents views, needs and concerns surrounding Etwall
July 2023
- Further development of the questionnaire content and design.
- Enquires made into differing methods of production and distribution of the Questionnaire.
August 2023
- Questionnaire design completed.
- Plans finalised with regards to production, distribution and publicity of the questionnaire.
- Tender for a Planning Consultant launched.
September 2023
- Questionnaire delivered to residents and businesses of the Etwall parish.
- Accompanying publicity (posters and banners) placed around the village.
October 2023
- Questionnaire submission deadline passed at the end of the month
- Further funding applied for through the Locality Fund
November 2023
- Analysis of the 341 Questionnaire responses begins
- Helen Metcalfe appointed as Planning Consultant
- Funding procured from Locality
December 2023
- Further analysis of questionnaire responses
- Sub-Groups created for each of the Plan’s subsections
- Terms of Reference updated
- Tour of the village with Helen Metcalfe (Planning Consultant)
- Initial meeting with AECOM (re. Housing Needs Assessment and Design Code Report)
January 2024
- Vision and Objectives for the Plan drafted
- Initial meetings of sub-groups take place
March 2024
- Key sites around Etwall identified for photos to be included in the Plan
- Potential areas for designated Green Spaces within the village identified
April 2024
- Planning for Etwall Well Dressing undertaken
- Vision and objectives for the Plan confirmed
- Photos of key sites around Etwall taken for the Plan
- In-person meeting with AECOM (re. Design Codes Report)
May 2024
- Attended the Well Dressing Event, raising awareness of the project and its progress, as well as receiving feedback from local resident’s on their thoughts and concerns with regards to Etwall.
- Questionnaire distributed to local businesses.
June 2024
- Funding re-secured for the 24/25 financial year.
- AECOM Housing Needs Assessment report received.
- Chair (D. Barlow) and Vice-Chair (L. Cain) appointed.
July 2024
- Photo competition entries received.
- AECOM draft Design Code and Guidance report received.
- Questionnaire response summary document completed.
August 2024
- Non-designated heritage asset letters delivered.
- Business questionnaire feedback received.
- Planning for October public presentation begins.
September 2024
- Meeting with DSA Environment + Design to produce professionally drawn-up maps (including Non-designated Heritage Assets, key views, facilities and businesses, non-vehicular routes, areas of landscape sensitivity, green spaces and biodiversity sites) of Etwall, based on information provided by the Working Group.
- Meeting with South Derbyshire District Council to discuss AECOM Housing Needs Assessment report.
- Meeting with Richard Hanbury, Transport Officer, Derbyshire County Council.
- Planning for the drop-in session in October continues.
October 2024
- Hosted a drop-in session at Frank Wickham Hall which was very well attended, updating residents on the progress of the Neighbourhood Plan and inviting feedback, including on additional issues to consider and prioritisation.
- Vision and Objectives for the Plan confirmed.
- Areas of landscape sensitivity confirmed.
- Winner of the photography competition announced – Thank you to all those who submitted entries.
- Drafting of the Neighbourhood Plan (and Residents Overview) begins.
November 2024
- Reviewed comments and feedback from the October event,. These will be reflected in the Plan.
- Key views (and reasoning as to why) confirmed.
- Areas of landscape sensitivity confirmed.
December 2024
- First draft of Plan shared by Helen Metcalfe (Planning Consultant) with the group.
- Review of first draft and feedback from the Working Group collated.
- Drafting for the foreword of the Plan begins.
- Final copies of AECOM Housing Needs Assessment, and Design Guidance and Code received (these can be reviewed below in the Document Library)
January 2025
- Continued review and amendments of the draft Plan
- Review and feedback of maps (including identification of wildlife corridors) for use in Plan
February 2025
- Continued review and amendments of the draft Plan
- Non-Designated Heritage Assets summary completed
March 2025
- Pre-submission draft of the Neighbourhood Plan approved by the Parish Council
- Drafting of Summary document begins
- Community Aspirations finalised
April 2025
- Minor amendments to draft Plan following Parish Council feedback and approval
- Preparations for the Well Dressing and Consultation events
- Development of associated documents for the public consultation of the pre-submission draft of the Neighbourhood Plan (including summary document, feedback form, letter for consultees and leaflet to be distributed to residents)
May 2025
- Consultation feedback form finalised
- Planning for Consultation events
- Minor amendments to Draft Plan following feedback
- Attended the Well Dressing Event, raising awareness of the project and its progress, as well as receiving feedback from local residents on their thoughts and concerns with regards to Etwall
- Consultation leaflets and letters delivered
June 2025
- Launch of consultation on 2 June 2025
- Drop-in sessions and Consultation events held (and well attended)
- Responses to statutory consultee letters started to be received
- Consultation period extended to 11th August as per South Derbyshire District Council request
July 2025
- Feedback from residents and statutory consultees continues to be received
- Consultation Statement drafting begins
- Minor amendments to Draft Plan following early Consultation feedback
August 2025
- Further Consultation feedback received
- Consultation closes on 11th August
- Collation of Consultation Feedback
- Consultation statement drafting continues
- Responses drafted to consultation feedback
- Amendments to Draft Plan and Appendices following Consultation feedback
September – November 2025
- Changes made to Plan to reflect comments received from consultees
- Changed wording and Policies agreed with Planning Consultant
- Areas of Landscape Sensitivity changed to reflect comments from Consultees
- Additional section added to Plan relating to support for the Local Economy
- Submission Version of the Plan approved at Parish Council meeting on 3rd November
- Plan sent to SDDC for their initial screening
- Launch Meetings (in-person and online) – Completed
- Formation of Etwall Development Plan Working Group – Completed
- Outline Task Plan / Resources Required – Completed
- Boundary designation – Completed
- Procure funding – Completed
- Communications campaign (website / social media / posters / magazines) – Ongoing
- Review existing evidence and develop questionnaire, identifying key themes – Completed
- Distribute questionnaire – to be completed either online or using a hard copy – Completed
- Questionnaire to be completed by residents and businesses – Completed
- Analysis of data from questionnaire (and existing evidence bases) – Completed
- Feedback of survey results and community consultation including drop-in session – Completed
- Working Group to establish teams to compile and draft the Neighbourhood Plan – Completed
- Consultation by the Working Group (Regulation 14) – Completed
- Revise Neighbourhood Plan (if necessary)- Completed
- Submit draft Neighbourhood Plan, with evidence, to South Derbyshire District Council – Process started on 4th November 2025
- Revise Neighbourhood Plan (if necessary)
- Consultation by the South Derbyshire District Council (Regulation 16)
- Revise Neighbourhood Plan (if necessary)
- South Derbyshire District Council arranges for Neighbourhood Plan to be independently examined
- Revise Neighbourhood Plan (if necessary)
- Referendum vote takes place – all Etwall residents will be eligible to vote
- If a majority of votes are in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan then it will be formally adopted
The objective of the group is to produce and publish a Neighbourhood Plan which meets the needs and wishes of Etwall Parish residents.
The Plan should:
- Contain policies in all sections which will improve the lives of residents
- Improve the experience of living in Etwall
- Provide the chance for residents to shape the future of the Parish
- Focus on specific, measurable, achievable and relevant objectives
- Be objective and conclusions should be based on data and information
Membership of the Working Group currently comprises:
- D. Barlow (Resident)
- R. Bate (Parish Councillor)
- R. Bleakman (Resident)
- L. Cain (Parish Councillor)
- A. Evans (Resident)
- M. Guest (Resident)
- A. Muller (Parish Councillor)
- C. Rowley (Parish Councillor)
- U. Towne (Parish Councillor)
If you are interested in supporting the work of the Working Group please contact etwallndp@gmail.com
Unless stated otherwise, documents can be accessed by clicking on the relevant links below. Please note that all documents are stored in PDF format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.
- Etwall Neighbourhood Development Plan – Designated Area (Links to a .pdf map on South Derbyshire web pages)
- Etwall Housing Needs Assessment (AECOM)
- Etwall Design Guidance and Code (AECOM)
- Etwall Neighbourhood Plan
- Etwall Neighbourhood Plan – Appendices
- Etwall Neighbourhood Plan – Summary
- Etwall Neighbourhood Plan – Traffic Review
- Etwall Neighbourhood Plan Pre-submission Draft – Consultation Summary
- Etwall Neighbourhood Plan Pre-submission Draft – Consultation Feedback Form
- Etwall Neighbourhood Plan Pre-submission Draft – Consultation Leaflet
- Neighbourhood Planning Support
- Neighbourhood Planning – myCommunity
- Neighbourhood Planning Guidance (Gov.uk)
- Neighbourhood Planning Process (Local Government Association)
- Hilton, Marston on Dove & Hoon Neighbourhood Development Plan
- Melbourne Neighbourhood Development Plan
- Parish of Repton Neighbourhood Development Plan
