Members of Farnham’s neighbourhood planning team have expressed their thanks to everybody who has taken part in the consultation about the draft neighbourhood plan.

The consultation closed at the end of the day on Monday 15 December. Over 1,000 people took the time to complete the questionnaire in which they gave their views on subjects that included proposed sites for new housing, Farnham’s conservation areas, biodiversity, business, leisure and shopping.

The neighbourhood plan team spoke face-to-face to more than 800 people who visited a roadshow, the neighbourhood plan pop up café or the information stand at school fairs and town centre events.

Councillor Carole Cockburn, Lead Member of Farnham’s Infrastructure Planning Group says: “The fact that so many people have taken part in this consultation means that we will have a far more representative view of what people want for the future of Farnham. I am thrilled that so many people have taken the time to engage in the consultation and would like to thank them for their time and effort.”

Everybody who completed the questionnaire will be entered into a draw to win an Apple iPad Mini. The draw will be made and the winner notified before Christmas.

The results of the questionnaires will now be analysed and if necessary, the draft neighbourhood plan will be amended so that it fully reflects the views of those who took part in the consultation. Farnham voters will have another opportunity to have their say on the revised plan in spring 2015. Once final comments have been taken into account the plan will be subject to an independent examination.

Later in 2015, the Farnham electorate will be asked to vote in a referendum to decide if the plan should be adopted. If the plan is passed at referendum it will be adopted by Waverley Borough Council and used to determine planning applications in the Farnham Town Council area.