At a Full Council meeting held on Wednesday 21 September, councillors approved the consultation on a new Local Plan for the borough.
The Local Plan is an important strategy required by law that will help decide, manage and shape development in the borough of Havant. The council's Local Plan is entitled "Building a better future" and reflects a positive, pro-active approach to development that considers the environment, sustainable low carbon construction and the local needs of residents and businesses.
Whilst proposing the Local Plan, Councillor Elizabeth Lloyd - Cabinet Lead for Local Plan, Environment and Water Quality - also drew attention to supporting data from Southern Water which will be critical to the success of the Local Plan. The council has no choice as who to work with regarding waste water provision, and requires undisputable facts to inform its future development plans and development of key infrastructure. There was widespread support for Councillor Lloyd’s proposal that Havant Borough Council should commission an independent review to assess and critique the data provided by Southern Water. It was agreed that the Planning Policy Committee will now consider this and that their findings and recommendations should be bought back to Full Council.
After the meeting, Councillor Lloyd stated "I'm delighted the new Local Plan is moving forwards. It is absolutely imperative we develop and secure the strategy that will define development in the borough for the next generation. With its firm intent to address climate change and a clear vision as to how to protect our cherished local environment whilst providing the housing we need, it is heartening to know we are at the formative stages of a truly caring, local strategy."
Now that work on a Local Plan has been approved, a public consultation will run from Monday 3 October until Monday 14 November. Furthermore, a series of exhibitions will be held across the borough to allow residents and businesses to find out more. Exhibition dates are as follows:
Hayling Island United Reform Church - PO11 9EY - Tuesday 11 October - (15:00 - 19:00)
Meridian Shopping Centre, Havant - PO9 1UN - Saturday 15 October (10:00 - 16:00)
St George’s Church Hall, St George’s Walk, Waterlooville PO7 7EH – Thursday 20 October (15:00 – 19:00)
Park Community School, Leigh Park - PO9 4BU - Thursday 27 October (15:00 - 19:00)
Public Service Plaza, Havant – PO9 2AX – Tuesday 1 November (10:00 – 16:00)
Emsworth Baptist Church - PO10 7BY - Thursday 3 November (15:00 - 19:00)
For further details, visit www.havant.gov.uk/localplan.
Please note, Coastal Partners will be running a separate consultation on the Hayling Island Coastal Management Strategy over the same period, outlining how coastal floods and erosion will be managed on the island for the next 100 years. Running from Monday 3 October to Saturday 31 December, it will be supported by two exhibitions:
Northney Recreation Hall, PO11 0SB - Monday 17 October (14.00 – 17.00)
South Hayling United Reformed Church, PO11 9EY - Wednesday 19 October (16.00 – 19.30)
For further details on the Coastal Partners consultation, visit www.coastalpartners.org.uk/project/hayling-island-coastal-management-strategy-16/.