Consultation to open on Large Development Sites for Local Plan

Some of the largest potential development sites in East Hampshire will be the subject of a special consultation in the autumn. The consultation, to be held from 3 September – 15 October, will focus on ten large sites, of which two will be included in the Local Plan.

Run by East Hampshire District Council it is another step towards producing a new Local Plan. The Local Plan provides guidelines for future development in parts of East Hampshire outside the South Downs National Park.

The six-week process, called the Local Plan Large Development Sites Consultation, will put the ten possible sites to the public and invite comments and information.

Residents will have the chance to give the council information about sites that might affect its suitability for development and to say what infrastructure is needed in that area. The responses received will be used by the council along with technical information and evidence from other organisations to decide which two sites will be included in the plan. It will not include other policies and sites already considered in the draft Local Plan.

The consultation will last six weeks and include six drop-in events, all in September.

Alton Assembly Rooms – Tuesday 3 Sept, 4-7pm
Barton Hall, Horndean – Saturday 7 Sept, 10am-2pm
Alton Assembly Rooms – Saturday 14 Sept, 10am-2pm
Forest Community Centre, Bordon – Thursday 19 Sept, 4-7pm
Barton Hall, Horndean – Monday 23 Sept, 4-7pm
Forest Community Centre, Bordon – Saturday 28 Sept, 10am-2pm

Cllr Angela Glass, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “The council is committed to working with the local community to deliver a new Local Plan. Developing a Local Plan is like having a conversation – we listen to people’s thoughts, consider them and respond accordingly. We are particularly keen to receive representations from across the community and involve local people as early in the process as possible.”

A broad consultation was held on the Local Plan in February and March. During that process the council received more than 2,000 comments.

Cllr Glass said: “The overriding message from those responses was concern about infrastructure and the impact of new development on existing communities. We therefore intend to consult on all potential large development areas, to gather further information and ensure local communities are engaged and aware from the early stages.”

The results of the consultation will inform the council’s decision as to which sites will be included in the Local Plan. The council will not be taking comments on polices and sites not included as part of this consultation.

The ten sites under consideration are:

Northbrook Park, Bentley
Whitehill & Bordon extension
Chawton Park Farm, near Alton
Land East of Horndean Extension
Land South East of Liphook
Neatham Down, near Alton
Four Marks South
Land west of Lymington Bottom Road, South Medstead
South Medstead
Winchester Road, Four Marks

Detailed plans of the sites will be available during the consultation at www.easthants.gov.uk/draft-local-plan