EHDC Introduction and Background

part a planning for the future of East Hampshire

01

Page 10

Introduction and background

02

vision and objectives

03

managing future development

O1 Introduction and Background

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Part a - Chapter One - Introduction and Background

01: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1.1

We are preparing a new Local Plan for our area. It will cover the period 2021-2040, although it will be reviewed every five years to make sure it remains fit for purpose.

The Local Plan Explained

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1.2

It’s important we have an up to date Local Plan to make sure planning decisions are informed by latest evidence and needs, and that we are planning for the future of everyone in our communities. There is also now a legal requirement for Local Plans to be reviewed every five years.

1.3

The Local Plan needs to respond to key issues such as responding to the climate emergency and making sure new housing meets our needs, particularly that of an ageing population. We also need to support our local economy and look after our precious environment.

1.4

This consultation seeks your views on the draft Local Plan 2021-2040. This is your opportunity to shape this important document. This is a Regulation 18 stage consultation in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

FIGURE 1.1: WHAT IS THE LOCAL PLAN

Local Plans are at the heart of the planning system.

The Local Plan is our key planning document, setting out the development aspirations for our area up to 2040.

Statutory

We must prepare a new Local Plan

Central

The key tool for decision making in planning

Inclusive

Must plan to meet the development needs of everyone

Time bound

Reviewed every 5 years Must plan for at least a 15 year period

FORWARD THINKING PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

Climate emergency Respond to climate emergency

Sustainable development Contribute to the achievement of sustainable development

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Part a - Chapter One - Introduction and Background

National Planning Policies 1.5

We would like the Plan to reflect the aspirations and choices of the local community.

However, the Plan must comply with specific requirements set out in national planning policy and legislation. It must: • reflect national planning policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework and associated National Planning Practice Guidance; • contribute to the achievement of sustainable development and be supported by an Integrated Impact Assessment incorporating Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environment Assessment; • aim to meet full housing and infrastructure requirements; • have regard to the other strategies of the Local Planning Authority and its partners; • demonstrate joint working on cross-boundary issues; • take into account evidence of environmental constraints on development and the need to conserve the built and natural heritage; and • be deliverable within the Plan period taking account of identified constraints, infrastructure requirements and viability considerations.

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What is the purpose of this consultation?

1.6

We are seeking comments and information that will help us to further develop the strategy, site allocations and policies in the Local Plan. The Local Plan is progressing, and a lot of work has been done, but we still need to collect evidence in relation to these draft policies and proposed site allocations to help us move forwards to the next stage. We welcome your comments on all parts of the Local Plan.

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Part a - Chapter One - Introduction and Background

Geography: East Hampshire 1.7

The district of East Hampshire covers approximately 514km2 of the eastern part of the county of Hampshire. There are roughly 120,000 people living in the district, part of which benefits from being in the South Downs National Park. The district is home to more than 6,000 businesses (most of which are small businesses) and is mostly rural with the largest towns being Petersfield (in the South Downs National Park) and Alton.

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1.8

The A3 running through the district provides good access to Guildford and on to London, and to the south to Portsmouth. There are also good connections to Winchester and Farnham via the A31.

FIGURE 1.2: REGIONAL MAP M4 SWINDON

M4

READING

M4

BERKSHIRE

LONDON

WINDSOR

BRACKNELL

M25

WOKING

M3

WILTSHIRE

BASINGSTOKE

EAST HAMPSHIRE

A3

ALTON

A3

M3

M3

HAMPSHIRE WINCHESTER

SURREY

FARNHAM

ANDOVER

SALISBURY

GUILDFORD

FARNBOROUGH

PETERSFIELD

WEST SUSSEX

EAST SUSSEX

SOUTHAMPTON

DON

M4

READING

M4

BERKSHIRE

LONDON

WINDSOR

PORTSMOUTH

BRACKNELL

M25

BOURNEMOUTH

BASINGSTOKE

WOKING

M3

EAST HAMPSHIRE

A3

A3

M3

LONDON

M3

HAMPSHIRE

ALTON

KENT

SURREY

FARNHAM

ANDOVER

WINCHESTER

GUILDFORD

FARNBOROUGH

ISLE OF WIGHT

PETERSFIELD

WEST SUSSEX

SOUTHAMPTON

KEY East Hampshire District Boundary

EAST SUSSEX

East Hampshire Local Planning Area

M25

PORTSMOUTH

Hampshire

LDFORD

SSEX

SURREY

ISLE OF WIGHT

KENT

Motorways A Roads

KEY East Hampshire District Boundary

EAST SUSSEX

East Hampshire Local Planning Area

N

© Crown copyright and database rights OS. Licence number 100024238 (2023) East Hampshire District Council.

NORTH

Hampshire Motorways A Roads

N

© Crown copyright and database rights OS. Licence number 100024238 (2023) East Hampshire District Council.

NORTH

There are roughly 120,000 people living in

the district, part of which benefits from being in the South Downs National Park.

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Part a - Chapter One - Introduction and Background

Our Planning Area 1.9

The beautiful countryside and landscape of East Hampshire are characterised by the South Downs National Park, which covers the central area of the district.

1.10 However, the South Downs

National Park is its own planning authority area, and as such prepares its own Local Plan. The South Downs National Park adopted its own Local plan in 2019.

We do not plan for the South Downs National Park, which means we do not plan for Petersfield and its surrounds.

The areas we plan for in this Local Plan are shown in Fig 1.3, and include Alton, Whitehill & Bordon, Liphook and Horndean.

The areas we plan for in this Local Plan are the North, the North-East and the South.

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1.11 These are three distinct

areas, separated by the South Downs National Park.

In this draft Local Plan, we refer to them as the North, the North-East and the South.

FIGURE 1.3: OUR PLANNING AREA

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Part a - Chapter One - Introduction and Background

The Local Plan Timescales 1.12 The previous consultations and evidence

gathering has got us to this stage of consulting on a draft Local Plan. There will be one further consultation on the Local Plan that we propose to submit to the Government for examination.

1.13 As part of that process there is an independent

examination of the plan, a published report, and if found ‘sound’, adoption of the Local Plan by the Council. At that point, the Local Plan carries ‘full weight’ and is fully used for planning decisions in our area.

We expect this to be in 2025.

Your Voice Matters

v o n i lved t e ” “G

Understand the challenges

This draft Local Plan is available for public consultation for a period of 6 weeks between 22 January - 4 March 2024.

Influence where and how development takes place

Present your ideas See how your local area might change in the future

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Share information about your local area

e c i o Your v

s. r e t t ma

FIGURE 1.4: THE LOCAL PLAN PROCESS AND TIMESCALES

01

Gather evidence and early stakeholder engagement

We are here

02

Public consulTation on draft Local Plan (Regulation 18)

Summer

03

Public consulTation on Proposed submission Local Plan (Regulation 19)

Winter

04

Submit Local Plan for Examination (Regulation 22)

New Year

05

Examination by an independent Planning Inspector (Regulation 24)

Summer

06

Planning Inspector's report (Regulation 25)

Autumn

07

Adopt the Local Plan (Regulation 26)

2018

2024 2024/25 2025 2025 2025

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Your

voice matters.

We want to hear your feedback.

Your thoughts and feedback can be submitted through our online portal: easthants.gov.uk/lp-consultation 22 January 2024 – 4 March 2024 Please respond using our online portal: easthants.gov.uk/lp-consultation You can also respond by email: localplan@easthants.gov.uk or by writing to: Planning Policy East Hampshire District Council Penns Place Petersfield Hampshire GU31 4EX

The comments received during this consultation cannot be treated as confidential so please do not include any personal information within your comments. Responses will be published on the Council’s website. Please note that personal information provided will be processed in line with our Service Privacy Notice.

The details of where consultation material can be viewed and consultation events is available at easthants.gov.uk/lp-consultation.

If responding by email or in writing, please identify which section, policy or site you are responding to.

If you have any further queries regarding any of the issues raised in this document, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01730 234102.