TOWN and parish councillors were given the opportunity to provide early input into East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) local plan review.

District council planners briefed councillors about the Local Plan and gave them the chance to have their say about important issues in their local areas.

The plan, which sets out housing, employment sites and infrastructure in parts of the district outside the South Downs National Park, is being reviewed. A draft plan is expected to be ready by 2019.

Town and parish councils outside the national park took the opportunity to have early input into the review and let EHDC know what makes them proud of their area, what should be protected, what the problems are, and how improvements can be made.

The session, held on May 16 at Penns Place in Petersfield, focused on six key themes - economy, infrastructure, natural environment, built environment, well-being and communities, and housing.

Angela Glass, EHDC’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “This was a really well attended, interactive session to give local councillors the chance to have their say about their hopes and fears for their own areas.

“No-one knows a patch like the people who live there, so it’s really valuable to get this kind of detail and build up an understanding of the issues people face in the parts of the district affected by this plan. And, of course, as the local plan review progresses we will be consulting with residents and other stakeholders as well.”

Public discussions are being planned on key parts of the local plan later in the year.

Once complete, the plan will set out a view of the district outside the national park up to 2036.

EHDC is also required to provide a certain number of pitches for gypsies and travellers and plots for travelling show people. The location and number of these sites will be identified in the revised plan, following local consultation.