PLANNING OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

East Hagbourne postcard 05It is clear from Grainger’s Planning Application that they have scant regard for what the community thinks. It is also clear that the community is not complacent and has strong views about the future of our area.

It is timely then to ask a question: Do you want to be involved in planning the future of East Hagbourne? 

Working as a united community with strong detailed argument we can stop Grainger building on the Green Gap. However, until SODC are able to demonstrate they are fully in control of their housing plan we can expect multiple speculative plans to come forward over the next months and years.

Developers are using the National Planning Policy Framework as a tool to undermine council’s plans and build against the wishes of communities. However, government guidance can also be used by communities to protect themselves. The very first paragraph of the NPPF explains how it “provides a framework within which local people and their accountable councils can produce their own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans, which reflect the needs and priorities of their communities”. 

At the core of that framework is Neighbourhood Planning. The government Planning Portal  explains that “Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area.”

In 2011 East Harbourne Parish Council produced a Parish Plan. This is a detailed assessment of the village and talks to its unique character and charms. However, this plan, as good as it is, has little weight in planning matters. The Parish Council are now reviewing the need for a Neighbourhood Plan – a plan that would work alongside the District Councils Local Plan and have real legal weight in the decision making process.

Producing a Neighbourhood Plan is a large undertaking and will require significant community input. It will require too some difficult decisions about how much building the village is prepared to accept and where it will go. It will culminate in a local referendum. Producing a plan will be a long and arduous task, but once done it may give the community some real control over where they live. If the community feel they want to do this then the Campaign will offer support and input.

East Hagbourne Parish Council have asked for your feedback.

Do you think this is a good idea?
Do you want to be involved?

They have asked you to email your answers to the Parish Council at [email protected]

The Parish Council are meeting in the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday October 8th. Pop along to hear what they have in mind.

More information:

This Video from My Community that explains what Neighbourhood plans are all about.
Government Planning Portal contains lots of useful background.
SODC’s website about shows which villages and towns in the district have or are developing plans
CPRE’s information is here.

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