EHDC Foreword

REGULATION 18 january 2024

FOREWoRD The Local Plan is East Hampshire D i s t r i c t C o u n c i l’s key p l a n n i n g p o l i c y document for areas of the district o u t s i d e o f t h e S o u t h D ow n s N a t i o n a l Pa r k .

It sets planning rules for development which cover housing, business, infrastructure, health, community facilities and the environment.

Fo r m e , i t i s o n e o f t h e most impor tant pieces of wo r k we d o a s a c o u n c i l and has a direct impact on everyone who lives and works in the district.

While it is undoubtedly a technical and complicated p r o c e s s t o c o m p l e t e, we cannot do it without the input of the public. This plan is the product of multiple, extensive consultations with the public.

I t i s d r aw n t o g e t h e r f r o m t h e c o m m e n t s o f our residents, the aspirations of the council, the years of painstaking and meticulous evidence g a t h e r e d by o u r p l a n n i n g o f f i c e r s a n d t h e G ove r n m e n t ’s gu i d a n c e a n d d i re c t i ve s .

Wh i l e i t i s w i d e - r a n g i n g , c ove r i n g a va r i et y of impor tant aims, there are three main priorities we want the plan to achieve.

We want this Local Plan to deliver the homes the district needs to grow sustainably; we want it t o s u p p o r t t h e h e a l t h a n d we l l b e i n g o f o u r residents and we want it to make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change.

It will encourage walking, cycling or the use of public transpor t – bet ter for you and for the environment – while recognising the importance of private vehicles, especially in rural areas.

I t w i l l h e l p p e o p l e e n j oy o p e n s p a c e s l i ke parks and allotments and provide the spor ting and leisure facilities a modern community needs to live active, healthy and fulfilled lives.

Fi n a l l y, p e r h a p s m o s t impor tantly, the Local Plan will help us mitigate the effects of climate change.

By providing better quality, greener developments, using new, carbon-reducing techniques we can limit our carbon emissions and prioritise being net-zero.

Being conscious of site sensitivities and locations will enable us to protect and improve the quality of our built environments and our valued landscapes, and allow us to focus on conserving and enhancing our wildlife habitats to improve local biodiversity.

I am very proud of this Local Plan, and the hard work that has gone into making it, and I believe it will be the blueprint to guide the sustainable and prosperous growth of East Hampshire over the next two decades providing a secure business base with excellent communications, and a front door for everyone.

W h a t d o w e m e a n by s u s t a i n a b l e g r o w t h ?

This Local Plan must find land to meet the need for new homes. Housing is an impor tant par t of a n y t h r i v i n g re g i o n , b u t i t m u s t b e h o u s i n g that is affordable, that is of the right size, type and tenure, and is in the right location.

Alongside that, we must ensure our district’s economic grow th by making land available for businesses of the right type and in the right places.

The Local plan will help look after our residents by enabling community facilities that promote healthy lifestyles.

councillor Angela Glass

Portfolio Holder, Regulation and Enforcement

Page 1