Thanks to Peter Child’s recent email to Eastleigh Borough Council, Chandler’s Ford residents now have an answer as to why the Eastleigh Borough Local Plan exhibitions exclude Chandler’s ford.
Tracy Haskett, Planning Officer of Eastleigh Borough Council, encouraged Chandler’s Ford residents who are interested in Eastleigh Borough Local Plan (2011-2036) to attend the next nearest event in Allbrook Hill on Saturday 23 January, 10am until 4pm.
Peter Child asked the planning officer why Chandler’s Ford is not included in the list of places where the Proposed Plan will be exhibited.
He said, “I believe that in the past it has been, and as this has such a large impact on the whole Borough it would seem logical to include Chandler’s Ford.” (source)
Below is the detailed reply from Eastleigh Borough Council on 21st January 2016.
EBC’s reply: Why Eastleigh Local Plan Exhibitions exclude Chandler’s Ford
“Dear Mr Child,
Thank you for your email. In the past we have undertaken staffed exhibitions in each of the parishes in support of Local Plan consultations. This is a huge investment in officer time (which is appropriate, given the importance of the subject and the need to engage) but has not always lead to the best use of resources. Some exhibitions have been much better attended than others.
The adopted Statement of Community involvement states “where proposals are limited in their impacts, for example in the case of a partial review of the Local Plan, exhibitions will only be held in the areas affected”. Whilst this is not a partial review of the Plan and will cover the whole of the Borough, the strategic options (which is what we are discussing at this stage) are not in each location – for instance, Chandler’s Ford and Bursledon CP do not have significant options being put forward for consultation, though of course the new Local Plan is potentially of interest to all residents.
The venues were selected primarily on the basis of proximity to strategic locations in the consultation. That means that we do not have one event for each parish, but I hope that the 8 events scheduled (including evenings and three Saturdays) means that everyone with an interest has an opportunity to attend at least one event which suits them. The next nearest event to Chandler’s Ford is in Allbrook Hill on Saturday 23 January, 10am until 4pm. Please find further details of the exhibitions being held in the attached document.
There is the need to balance the availability of resources – crucially, we only have a limited number of officers who have the technical understanding to usefully run these events – against the understandable desire to be seen to be in each parish. This has led to the programme of events we have advertised. Therefore I hope you will understand why we have been reluctant to arrange additional events. If you require any further information please contact us.”
Kind regards
TracyTracy Haskett (Planning)
Planning Officer
Regeneration and Planning PolicyEastleigh Borough Council | Eastleigh House | Upper Market Street | Eastleigh | SO50 9YN
eastleigh.gov.uk
@EastleighBC
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- Call for Future Local Plan Exhibitions to Include Chandler’s Ford
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It was good of Mr Child to email EBC over this. While I do understand the Council’s position, I think I should still point out it would not be easy for some Chandler’s Ford residents to actually get to the event at Allbrook. Though not very far away in terms of distance, I’m not aware of any direct public transport link to Allbrook from CF. Having said that I hope the exhibitions go well.
Eastleigh Borough Local Plan (2011-2036) will affect everyone in the Borough despite our locations.
We are all connected. We may have families and friends living and working in the strategic locations.
No one likes to feel excluded.
This is a key 25 year plan of the Borough. It is only logical and civilised to hold an exhibition here in Chandler’s Ford. It’s also a great PR opportunity.