A project aimed at giving the Farnham community more of a say in the development of their local area has reached a critical milestone.
At the end of July, Farnham Town Councillors agreed the final draft of the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan, which triggered the submission of the Plan to Waverley Borough Council. As the planning authority, Waverley is responsible for conducting a six-week public consultation, which began on 19 August and will run until 5pm on 3 October.
Speaking about the submission of the plan, Leader of Farnham Town Council, Councillor Carole Cockburn says: “I am delighted that Farnham’s Neighbourhood Plan is so close to being adopted. Farnham was the first town in Waverley to begin work on its Neighbourhood Plan and is the first to have reached this stage. When we first agreed to make a Neighbourhood Plan, we chose to take a highly collaborative and consultative approach based on a sound evidence base. While this means the Plan has taken some time to come to fruition, we are confident that the Plan is robust and that we have thoroughly addressed all concerns raised during previous public engagement exercises and a formal consultation.”
The latest consultation provides the community with a last chance to lodge their comments about the proposed plan. The Plan can be viewed at Farnham Town Council, Farnham Library or at Waverley’s offices in Godalming. It can also be seen and commented upon online at www.waverley.gov.uk/FarnhamNP. At the end of the consultation, Waverley will collate the comments for an independent examiner. It is expected that the Plan and comments will be submitted to the examiner in November.
Councillor Carole Cockburn explains: “If the examiner agrees that the draft Neighbourhood Plan meets the basic standard required, Waverley Borough Council will arrange a referendum. This will allow the community that live within the Farnham Town Council area, and who are registered to vote, to have a final say on whether they think the Neighbourhood Plan should come into force to shape development in Farnham over the next 15 years.
“Having an adopted Neighbourhood Plan empowers communities to shape the development and growth of the area where they live and work. Without a Neighbourhood Plan, Farnham would be left very vulnerable and would have no say in where new homes shops and offices should be built, their design and the infrastructure that should be provided to support the new developments.”
The Neighbourhood Plan covers a 15-year period up to 2031 and is the most significant document to be produced by Farnham Town Council. When the plan is adopted by Waverley Borough Council, it will provide protection for the character and heritage of Farnham while also responding to the changing needs of its population.
ENDS
For more information in relation to this press release, contact Farnham Town Council on 01252 712667.
Notes for editors
The Neighbourhood Plan and background documents can be found at www.farnham.gov.uk/shapefarnham.
Farnham Town Council consulted on the first formal draft of the Plan in October 2014. Over 1,100 people took the opportunity to respond to the consultation and to have their say on the future of Farnham. At the end of the consultation, the comments were considered and amendments were made to the draft Neighbourhood Plan.
