Test Valley Borough Council agreed to publish its Revised Local Plan for public consultation at a full council meeting on 8th January.
The public consultation will last for six weeks, beginning at 9am on 24th January and ending at 4.30pm on 7th March. After the consultation, officers will analyse the comments and report their findings to councillors along with any proposed changes. The document and any unresolved objections will then be submitted to the secretary of state for examination. It is anticipated that this will take place in summer 2014.
The Revised Local Plan has been amended to take account of updated evidence, recent government guidance and 1,700 responses to the public consultation held in March. It proposes the building of 588 homes per year in Test Valley for the 18 year plan period, of which 200 homes would be affordable. The proposed site allocations in the plan are in addition to the homes already built or with planning permission granted between 2011 and 2013.
All those who commented previously or have asked to be kept informed will be notified of the consultation by email or letter depending on how they contacted the council originally. Comments can be made online, via email or by post.
Copies of the Revised Local Plan, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment will be available on the council’s website from 9am on 24 January. The documents will also be available for public inspection at Beech Hurst in Andover and the Former Magistrates’ Court in Romsey. Copies of the draft Revised Local Plan will also be available for reference at local libraries.
As part of the consultation, the following public exhibitions have been arranged:
| Date | Venue | Opening Times |
| Tuesday 4 February | The Rendezvous, Union Street, Andover | 2pm – 7pm |
| Thursday 6 February | North Baddesley Pavilion | 2pm – 7pm |
| Friday 7 February | Crosfield Hall Annexe, Romsey | 2pm – 7pm |
| Saturday 8 February | Crosfield Hall Annexe, Romsey | 10am – 12 noon |
| Tuesday 11 February | Nursling and Rownhams Village Hall, Nursling Street | 3pm – 7pm |
| Wednesday 12 February | Beech Hurst main reception | 5pm – 7pm |
Councillor Martin Hatley, planning and transport portfolio holder, said: “I am pleased full council agreed to publish the plan for public consultation.
“In preparing the document the council has had to make some difficult decisions. It has considered all the comments made during the earlier consultation and has taken into account the government’s advice on planning policy and local evidence.”
“The plan seeks to achieve that difficult balance between protecting the environment of the borough, which we all value, while recognising that we need to provide homes for our residents and support the local economy.”
“It is also important we have a local plan in place as soon as possible to strengthen our position to defend Test Valley from speculative planning applications and provide the foundation on which all planning decisions in the borough will be taken. I look forward to receiving the public comments about the document.”
