North Hants District Group update - June 2022

At CPRE Hampshire, the countryside charity, we believe in countryside and green spaces that are accessible to all, are rich in nature and play a crucial role in responding to the climate emergency. Below is an update on the work being undertaken by the North Hants District Group.

Sadly today, the Hampshire countryside faces many challenges including population growth, climate change and pressures to grow the economy and build more houses. CPRE Hampshire is an independent charity working to promote, protect and enhance local countryside in a way that underpins the economy whilst maintaining all that is best in the balance between necessary development and a thriving Hampshire countryside.

In North Hampshire, we have an active group of volunteers monitoring proposed development. This often means raising objections to planning applications where in our view, the harm to the local landscape outweighs any benefit from proposed development.

In Basingstoke and Deane, the Local Plan was adopted in 2016 covering the period 2011-2029. Local Plans are at the heart of the planning system and are the main consideration for deciding planning applications. In Basingstoke and Deane, the Local Plan is currently going through an update which will ultimately result in a new plan period up to 2039. Our volunteers are working hard to understand and influence the Local Plan to ensure a positive outcome for the local countryside.

We would encourage everyone to feed into the process and have your say on local development. More information on engagement in the Local Plan process can be found on our online Planning Hub.

The next major stage will be a six-week public consultation on the draft plan (Regulation 18) which is expected in Summer/Autumn 2022. Precise dates have not yet been announced. The process will then go through various consultations before being adopted in Spring 2024.

If you are interested in joining us in our efforts, we are also looking for two further volunteers to join our group. A ‘Volunteer Treasurer’ to keep records of income and expenditure raised at our fundraising events and to reimburse invoices and expenses. We are also looking for a ‘Volunteer Helper’ to help at fundraising events. To find out more info or to apply, please email hantssupportercare@cpre.org.uk.

Ultimately, we would urge you all to consider joining us as a CPRE Hampshire member. Membership is the best way of helping to protect the beautiful Hampshire countryside and enables us to keep working on its behalf. Membership starts from £3.00 per month (£36.00 per year).

Des O’Donnell

Planning Lead for North Hants District Group