News Release - May 2011
BURSLEDON PARISH PLAN UPDATE
Bursledon Parish Plan Steering Group invited three speakers: Julia
Norman, EBC Planning Officer, Jo Dixon, Community Action Hampshire, and
Diccon Bright, Bursledon, Hamble and Hound Area Co-ordinator, to attend
their April meeting to discuss parish plans in the context of the new
Government’s Localism Bill. Members of Hound Parish Plan Steering
Group also attended.
They were told that parish plans were not included in the Government’s
proposals to involve local people in making decisions about their
communities. However, parish councils were to be involved in
preparing neighbourhood development plans, which would be adopted as
supplementary planning guidance by district councils.
The speakers urged the Steering Groups to continue with their work to
assemble their communities’ priorities and aspirations, so that they,
too, could be adopted as supplementary planning guidance, and, with the
Hamble Parish Plan, provide a blueprint for joint planning and
priorities on the Hamble Peninsula.
It was agreed that a letter should be written to Chris Huhne MP,
requesting that he seek inclusion of parish plans in the Localism
legislation. It was further agreed that a letter should be written
to him about the devastating effect of Government cuts on Sure Start
Centres and the Youth Service, which were providing valuable service to
the local community.
It was further agreed that a letter be written to Bursledon Parish
Council asking for assurance that the proposed Bursledon Parish Plan
would form an agenda for action and support at parish council level.
The letter also stated concern that the Parish Council, including the
four Borough councillors, had not thought it necessary to communicate to
the Steering Group joint proposals for developing the Bursledon
Community Centre site in Lowford to include library and medical
facilities.
Diane Andrewes
Hon. Secretary
Ends