KNUTSFORD’S Neighbourhood Plan has been commended by planning experts at the Royal Town Planning Institute in its annual Planning Excellence Awards.

The Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan received a commendation in the Spatial Planning category for the north west region, with judges praising the level of volunteer involvement from the community in developing the plan with the town council.

Bev Watson, regional co-ordinator of the North West Royal Town Planning Institute said: “Judges were impressed with the wide range of planning policies within the plan and the clear diagrams which help to create a more user-friendly document.

“It is a good example of a community-led plan, which has provided opportunities for engagement and which has helped to raise the awareness and understanding of planning issues across the community.”

The Neighbourhood Plan, which was developed by Knutsford Town Council working with representatives of the community, was approved at a referendum in March and sits alongside the Local Plan for use by Cheshire East planners making decisions about development in the Town.

Supported by Urban Imprint, the Macclesfield-based planning consultants who helped create the plan, Neighbourhood Plan Committee Chairman Cllr Stewart Gardiner and Brian Chaplin, who led the Housing and Employment working group, were questioned by RTPI judges on the content and development of the plan.

Cllr Gardiner said: “As a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute I am extremely proud to have been the lead councillor in the team that delivered the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan and to have been judged by my peers to secure this commendation.

“However, this award is not about me, but an affirmation of all the hours of hard work and effort put into the process by my Town Council colleagues, the team at Urban Imprint and so many Knutsford residents; too many to name here but a big thanks to you all - please share my pride.”