Dear all,

The Isle of Dogs Neighbourhood Plan was approved at the referendum last Thursday. The results announced late Saturday were; 

• 7,874 yes votes
• 1,264 no votes 
• 401 spoiled ballots (mainly blank we assume by people who were unclear or undecided about what it meant)

So of those whose votes were valid, 86% voted for the Neighborhood Plan. The average for London Neighbourhood Plans is an 89% yes vote.

37% turnout (Mayor of London election turnout across the whole of Tower Hamlets was 42% but the Isle of Dogs has usually had lower turnout than the average for Tower Hamlets)
In the picture below is a comparison to the results in other London Neighbourhood Plan referendums.
Results provisional as a few ballot papers may have been put in the wrong ballot box.

Thanks to those who voted and helped in this process over the years.

The final step is for Tower Hamlets Council to Make the neighbourhood plan within the next 8 weeks. That process is described in this link and below in Italics https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning--2#the-neighbourhood-planning-referendum

The Council plan to Make the plan on the 1st July in case anybody does decide to legally challenge the referendum. But the National Planning Policy Framework para 48 states "(a) the stage of preparation of the emerging plan (the more advanced its preparation, the greater the weight that may be given)" and the Plan already carries significant weight. 

"What does a local planning authority do if the majority of those who vote are in favour of a neighbourhood plan or Order coming into force?
If the majority of those who vote in a referendum are in favour of the draft neighbourhood plan or Order (or, where there is also a business referendum, a majority vote in favour of both referendums), then the neighbourhood plan or Order must be made by the local planning authority within 8 weeks of the referendum.

A neighbourhood plan comes into force as part of the statutory development plan once it has been approved at referendum. An Order must be made by the local authority before it has effect.

The 8 week time limit does not apply where a legal challenge has been brought in relation to the decision to hold a referendum or around the conduct of the referendum."

We will now be working on:

1. The ASDA planning application due to be decided we believe in June.
2. Westferry Printworks appeal due to open on the 18th May (see pictures below)
3. Our formal re-recognition for another 5 years
4. Learning more about new Design Codes which may mean a re-write of or a new Neighbourhood Plan https://www.gov.uk/government/news/all-new-developments-must-meet-local-standards-of-beauty-quality-and-design-under-new-rules
5. Updating our recommendations on where 25% of Community Infrastructure Fund money should be spent, more later.

If you wish to help in any of this please let us know.