Havant Borough Council has reached a new milestone in securing a new Local Plan for the Borough. Full Council approved the Building a Better Future Plan for submission to the Secretary of State for public consultation at its meeting on Wednesday, 15 July 2026.
The Building a Better Future Plan – the new Local Plan for the Borough will guide the development of new homes, employment premises and infrastructure such as community facilities, schools and shops up to 2043.
This final consultation focusses on the legal compliance and soundness of the plan. It opens Monday 20 July until 5:00pm on Wednesday 9 September for stakeholders to add their comments on the legal compliance and/or soundness of the plan. Soundness of the Plan is whether it is justified, effective, positively prepared and consistent with national policy.
The Plan has taken on board public feedback received through previous rounds of consultation in 2022 and 2025. This is the version of the Plan that the council considers to be ‘sound’ and this is now the final consultation before the Plan is submitted for examination by an independent inspector appointed by the Government.
Councillor Jonathan Hulls, Cabinet Lead for Coastal Communities & the Local Plan said: “We’re very glad to have reached this important stage for securing a Local Plan for the Borough. Getting the ‘Building a Better Future Plan’ in place is such a positive step and the best way to make sure development is high quality and has both the necessary infrastructure and environmental safeguards to make it truly sustainable.”
Councillor Gillian Harris MBE, Leader of Havant Borough Council, said: "Thank you to everyone who has engaged with us throughout this process and helped us as we’ve progressed the Local Plan. We’re delighted to have reached this critical milestone.
“Whilst it’s been a lot of work to get to this point, and we have the examination ahead of us to ensure we have a sound Local Plan our Borough deserves, we’re in a really good place to do that. Securing the Building a Better Future Plan for the Borough is vital as it will not only guide decision-making now but leave a positive legacy for Local Government Reorganisation.”
This consultation is for people to formally tell the Government inspector whether they consider the council has prepared a sound and legally compliant Local Plan. There have been previous opportunities for more general comments and feedback on the Plan which the council has considered, and many have been taken forward.
The council has shown how an up-to-date Local Plan can bring tangible benefits to communities where new development takes place. At Hampshire Farm for example, £825,000 has been invested in transport infrastructure, including highways works, public transport services and walking and cycling paths.
The form and guidance note to help make your representation on the legal compliance and soundness of the Local Plan is available at: www.havant.gov.uk/localplan
Paper copies of the form and guidance note are available for collection from the Plaza and on request, email policy.design@havant.gov.uk or call 023 9244 6539.
Completed forms must be returned by 5.00pm on Wednesday 9 September 2026.
You can view the consultation report on our website: https://www.havant.gov.uk/planning-services/planning-policy/local-plan/local-plan-evidence-studies-and-strategies