THE Liphook neighbourhood development plan steering committee has been given its own premises - accompanied by a call for younger members to be recruited.

The office news came as it was revealed that the parish council had bought back the office of the police and crime commissioner for Hampshire, located at the back of the Millennium Centre, for £12,700.

At last week’s council meeting, finance and policy chairman Michael Croucher stated that the office will be used for steering group meetings, for special projects to be displayed and to keep and file all documentation required and acquired.

The neighbourhood development plan’s chairman, Susan Garnett, prepared a draft budget in July which was discussed at a meeting attended by an officer from the South Downs National Park Authority, who declared that no funds could be made available and due to the lack of manpower, advice could only be given online.

Mr Croucher explained that since Bramshott and Liphook is covered by two planning authorities, East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) with be playing the leading role for its neighbourhood development plan.

“The development plan will require some serious funding,” he said. “The parish council will provide starter funds of £15,000, which represents two years of savings, and will only be able to set aside between £7,000 and £9,000 per annum in future.”

He reminded councillors that the development plan would cost around £50,000, and that professional help will be required, with average charges by consultants expected at around £800 per day as well as expenses, warning that costs may have to be added to the budget precept.

EHDC will manage the public process and consult with the South Downs National Park Authority - which will not have a hands-on involvement.

Mr Croucher also proposed to lay out extensive maps of the entire parish area, which includes the hamlets of Bramshott, Conford and Passfield - to give the steering committee a better idea of what is involved.

He anticipated the schedule for a development plan to take between one year to 18 months and confirmed that currently two parish councillors as well as two district councillors are involved.

He warned that the project cannot be dictated to by parish council, that it has to be dominated by parishioners and that it is a neighbourhood plan for the people who live in the parish.

The steering committee is still facing a problem with the average age of its volunteers currently at around 60.

Mr Croucher is appealing for young people aged 16 to 18 to come forward, as well as 20 to 30-year-old residents and people with planning qualifications.

An appeal is due to go out to schools and sixth form colleges to attract a younger element, needed to represent the whole community, including the use of social media.

Unless a cross section of the society is involved with the steering committee it will not get passed by the Government Inspector as no minority can dominate a neighbourhood plan.

Mr Croucher has stated that accommodations can be made to suit anyone who is interested in joining, but who cannot commit to certain timetables.

“We can be flexible on time and schedule in a weekend meeting, rather than an evening one, which may be difficult for some people to attend,” he said.

“We need a decent balance of age groups as well as a balance of males and females to represent the parish.”

It is imperative that in order to be found sound, the procedure for forming a steering group should be all inclusive, with no imposition of any restriction with regard to age, or any other consideration, and that the process is open to everyone. Without this, the plan will fall at the first hurdle.

The neighbourhood development plan is a parish activity and funds received as well as costs incurred have to go through the parish council office and its administration.

The executive officer Peter Stanley is currently searching for third parties to get further funding.

The development for Bramshott and Liphook was designated by EHDC last October, with the aim to deliver a concise and accurate assessment of what development may be needed, among other matters.

EHDC officer Simon Jenkins has already given guidance at a public meeting held last September and will continue to help the steering group.

With an approved, sound neighbourhood plan in place, the parish will acquire 25 per cent of contributions made by developers under the Community Infrastructure Levy, rather than 15 per cent without a plan.

For more information and to volunteer contact Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council on 01428 722988 or email [email protected].