Local Plan consultation draws more than 1,000 responses

East Hampshire District Council planning officers are examining more than 1,000 responses on the Local Plan from residents following the closure of the consultation period.

The six-week consultation, which ended on 19 March, included ten public sessions held across the areas of East Hampshire covered by the plan.

Around 1,000 people attended the sessions and approximately 1,100 responses have been submitted by residents.

Simon Jenkins, EHDC’s Director for Regeneration & Place, said: “We have had a tremendous response from the public and I want to thank everyone who took the time to visit our sessions, talk to our officers and find out more about the plan and its policies.

“We now have a lot of work to do to sift through the comments and pull out the key issues which will influence the next version of the Local Plan.”

The Local Plan sets out rules and policies for development in parts of East Hampshire outside the South Downs National Park.

The plan only covers areas in East Hampshire outside the South Downs National Park – less than half the district. This includes Alton and the surrounding area as well as Whitehill & Bordon and the southern parishes of Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle.

During the consultation residents could have their say on policies covering housing, employment, infrastructure and the environment.

The plan will now be updated and put out for consultation again before being submitted to the government for final examination.

ENDS