Farnham electors are being asked to have their say on the updated Farnham Neighbourhood Plan by voting in a special local referendum on Thursday 12 March.

The adopted Neighbourhood Plan had to be revised to meet a new housing target and includes some other factual updates and the results of a more comprehensive landscape study.

Farnham’s revised Neighbourhood Plan reaffirms the community’s vision for the Town Council area including Badshot Lea, Boundstone, Hale, Heath End, Rowledge, Shortheath, The Bourne, Upper Hale, Weybourne and Wrecclesham. 

As well as identifying sites for additional housing, the Plan includes policies which aim to protect and enhance biodiversity, neighbourhood centres, public open spaces and sports provision. 

Councillor Carole Cockburn who led Farnham Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan review says: “It was during our many consultation exercises that local people told us their aspirations for the town and how they want their neighbourhoods to be in 2032. We took those wishes on board and incorporated them into the current Neighbourhood Plan. Eighty-eight per cent of the 11,391 people who voted in the May 2017 voted in favour of the first Neighbourhood Plan.” 

Councillor Cockburn says: “Having completed the review of the plan in 2019, it was then scrutinised by an independent examiner. In his final report, having considered detailed representations, he concluded that Farnham has a: ‘Review Plan which should help guide the area’s development’ and that will make ‘a positive contribution to informing decision-making on planning applications by Waverley Borough Council’. 

The independent examiner, decided the Plan should be subject to the forthcoming referendum. If the majority who vote are in favour of the Plan, it will be used by Waverley Borough Council to help decide planning applications for the area.

“Farnham’s Neighbourhood Plan is understood to be the country’s first Neighbourhood Plan Review Referendum. To ensure this most recent version can be used, it needs to be readopted following the referendum. I implore you to please use your vote during the forthcoming referendum,” says Councillor Cockburn.

For more information about the Neighbourhood Plan, visit www.farnham.gov.uk/shapefarnham.