Overview

A lot has changed since we last consulted on the Local Plan in 2019. 

In 2019, you shared lots of information and opinions with us. That remains part of the preparation of this Local Plan and is not lost. 

We are not reconsulting on many of the topics or sites previously considered – instead we are looking afresh at key issues and priorities that have been affected by changing context since 2019. For example, topics such as transport, employment and heritage were considered previously, and sufficient information has been gathered on these so they do not feature in this document. 

For some of those issues identified above, we want to delve deeper and see what is important to you and find out what should be included in our new Local Plan. This is particularly relevant for the Climate Emergency, which is a key concern for the Council.

Similarly, the Local Plan needs to try and accommodate our housing needs, so we are asking questions around housing numbers and the way it is calculated. We also want to know how we should be helping neighbouring authorities who have difficulties meeting their own needs.

It is not just about the housing numbers; it is about providing the right homes. We need to meet the needs of our ageing population, those with disabilities, those needing different size homes or varying types of housing. East Hampshire is extremely unaffordable, so affordable housing needs are extremely important, as are the needs of traveller communities and those wishing to build their own homes.

We will be presenting information and options on how we meet the above and asking for your views on the direction of travel the Local Plan should go in, in terms of location and policies.

Alongside the new Local Plan’s key issues and priorities detailed above, protection and enhancement of the environment is enshrined in a number of legislative Acts and Regulations.  These place a legal duty onto the LPA.  The Council will continue to protect, enhance and conserve its environment and if you wish to seek further detail, please see the Environment section.

Any form of development needs infrastructure to help support it and it is fundamental in the delivery of sustainable growth. The new Local Plan will look at what new infrastructure is needed and what opportunities there are to help reduce gaps in existing provision. For more information, please see our Infrastructure section.