THE?South Downs National Park Authority has now closed the public consultation on its first ever Local Plan.

People had until Tuesday to submit comments on the draft document which, when adopted, will act as a guide for development in the park.

The authority produced the plan having hitherto used “more than a thousand policies from 12 different local authorities”. Now, the hope is that a single, all-encompassing document will replace these and provide would-be developers with everything they need to know about the area.

But, even at its early stage, the plan has proved controversial locally, with residents in Greatham, near Selborne, banding together to respond to possible development in their tiny village.

The South Downs National Park Authority has identified a site at Petersfield Road (Liss Forest Nursery) “considered suitable to provide up to 40 residential dwellings” and land at Fern Farm where four permanent gypsy and traveller sites could be provided.

In turn, campaign group Greatham Voice has crowd-funded thousands to pay for a planning consultant to help the “small rural community of 800 residents” draw up an objective response.

On October 27, villagers came together and agreed to shell out a further £2,200 for “stage two” of their project, which has seen Petersfield consultant Troy Hayes conduct in-depth research to help formulate their final representation to the plan.

The general theme of concerns is that the early proposals represent overdevelopment.

And, already, a speculative planning application (SDNP/17/05087/PRE), to redevelop the highlighted Petersfield Road site, has arrived on the authority’s desk.

It suggests three possible scenarios. The first option comprises of 39 houses and a care home, the second includes 65 houses/flats, and the third proposes 59 houses on the land.

As the application, submitted by Cove Construction Ltd, is at an early stage, there aren’t many specifics in place, but it may further concern those who felt 40 homes would be too many.

South Downs National Park Authority chair Margaret Paren said it is the authority’s duty to “recognise the national importance of the landscapes” and to “conserve and enhance them”.

She continued: “The South Downs Local Plan puts these nationally important landscapes first – they are the reason the South Downs became a national park and they must sit at the heart of every planning decision we make.

“But our communities matter too, many of whom have undertaken their own neighbourhood plans. Some communities need to be able to grow, but this has to be in a way that respects the local environment and the wider national park.”

Representatives from Greatham Voice said it was “really important that we all get involved” to “make our voices heard”.

“It is great to see the village come together as a community,” they added. “Let’s keep up the momentum.”

When it comes to public consultation on planning permission, there isn’t much room for subjective, emotive language. Rather, sticking strictly to national planning policy is the name of the game – hence Greatham Voice’s decision to call in an expert.

And residents aren’t shying away from putting their money where their mouth is, with their JustGiving page already generating £1,340.

David Goddard, who donated £50 to the cause, said: “Not opposed to change, let’s make it the right change for our village.”

Another anonymous donor added: “We must pull together as a village to get the best long-term result for us all! And the future of a desirable village to live in.”

Martin Hoddinott agreed that it was “a good cause to shape the future of the village”, as he chucked £50 into the pot.

The local plan is at a draft stage and will guide developments in the South Downs National Park when adopted, so the authority promises to review every comment it receives.

People can read the full local plan at southdowns.gov.uk.

To help Greatham Voice, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/greatham-voice.