Here you will find information about our work to prepare the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) for Silkstone and Silkstone Common. This includes our latest thoughts on what the plan should include, as well as the supporting information and documents we have referred to.

The Silkstone NDP gives residents a one-in-a-generation chance to make their voices heard on planning issues.  An adopted NDP has statutory effect - it becomes planning for our Parish.

We need to hear your views and to hear your voice - now. Every home in Silkstone and Silkstone Common will soon receive a Special Newsletter letting you know more about how you can contribute to how the parish changes in the future. 

The idea of NDPs is that they give local people a greater say in planning decisions that affect their area. Barnsley Council already has a Local Plan and other documents with policies to guide the development of the borough. The NDP complements those documents with the policies at the neighbourhood level and is designed to reflect the needs and priorities of the local community. Unlike earlier documents produced by the Parish Council, the policies in the NDP must be considered when Barnsley Council takes decisions on planning applications.

NDPs can identify where development should take place, set out local design principles so that buildings respond positively to local character, and protect important facilities, historic buildings, the natural environment, and open spaces. However, the NDP cannot contradict policies in other statutory planning documents, both for Barnsley and nationally, so we must consider these as we prepare the NDP policies.