EAST Hampshire’s Local Plan is changing and with it comes an opportunity for residents to get involved.

While the current plan is a joint core strategy with the South Downs National Park Authority, East Hampshire District Council has now been charged by central government with drawing up a plan for the areas of East Hampshire that are not in the national park.

Embracing around half the East Hampshire district, this new plan will look at the future development of Alton, Whitehill and Bordon, and Horndean, leaving the national park authority to take responsibility for planning within the park.

The Local Plan is the key planning policy document for the area. It sets planning priorities and policies for development which cover housing, business, infrastructure, health, community facilities, and the environment.

An EHDC spokesman said: “It shows what development will be permitted and where. It is used to ensure the district grows in a joined-up, well thought out way that includes the right mix of things communities need to be sustainable and successful.”

Local plans have always had a set lifespan of 15 years before they are reviewed (the current strategy was set to run to 2028), however the new national requirement is to review plans every five years.

As such, a draft plan will be drawn up during the autumn which should be ready for consultation early next year.

Details of the consultations will be available via newsletters, online, and on social media.

To get involved, visit easthants.gov.uk/localplan or e-mail [email protected].