Read the adoption statement for the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan.
The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended) Regulation 19 and 20: Decision on a Plan Proposal and Publicising a Neighbourhood Development Plan.
Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), the City Council has a statutory duty to assist communities in the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans and Orders and to take plans through a process of examination, referendum and adoption.
The Localism Act 2011 (Part 6 Chapter 3) sets out the local planning authority's responsibilities under Neighbourhood Planning.
This report confirms that at a council meeting on 13 October 2025, Brighton & Hove City Council resolved to 'make' the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan 2024 to 2030 in the event of a 'yes' vote at the referendum on 4 December 2025.
The referendum result is a 'yes', which means that the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan 2024 to 2030 has been brought into legal force and forms part of the statutory Development Plan for Brighton & Hove.
Consequently, decisions in determining planning applications in the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Area will be made in accordance with the Neighbourhood Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan covers the neighbourhood area, which was designated by Brighton & Hove City Council in August 2022. This area is within the ward of Rottingdean & West Saltdean.
The Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared by West Saltdean Neighbourhood Forum.
The Neighbourhood Plan has been subject to independent examination by Mr Derek Stebbing, BA (Hons) DipEP MRTPI. The Examiner concluded that, subject to a number of recommended modifications, the Neighbourhood Plan met the 'Basic Conditions' and necessary legal requirements and could proceed to referendum.
On 13 October 2025, the council resolved to accept all of the Examiner's recommended modifications and the Neighbourhood Plan, thereby amended, was sent forward to referendum.
A referendum was held in the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Area on 4 December 2025. 92% of valid votes cast by residents agreed that the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan should be used by Brighton & Hove City Council and the South Downs National Park Authority to help decide planning applications in the Neighbourhood Area (turnout at the referendum was 17.69% of residents).
The council is satisfied that the plan, including its preparation, does not breach or is not otherwise incompatible with any retained EU obligation or any of the Convention rights (within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998).
This statement confirms that, as a result of the council resolution of 13 October 2025, the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan 2024 to 2030 has been 'made' and forms part of the Development Plan for the designated West Saltdean Neighbourhood Area.
In accordance with Regulations 19 and 20 of the 2012 Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (as amended), this Adoption Decision statement and the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan 2024 to 2030 have been made available to view on the council's website.
View the West Saltdean Neighbourhood Plan.
Hard copy versions of these documents can be inspected on request at Saltdean Library, Rottingdean Library and Jubilee Library.
The council has notified all people who requested to be notified of the making of the plan and where it can be inspected.
Nicola Hurley
Head of Planning