A MOTION calling on Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council to oppose new housing inside the South Downs National Park was soundly defeated at Monday evening’s meeting.

The motion, brought forward by Don Jerrard, read: “The parish council should not consider housing in the national park as part of the neighbourhood development plan as this would be rejected by the South Downs National Park Authority and, therefore, be a waste of money.”

It was the second time Mr Jerrard has proposed a motion to redesignate parish boundaries to exclude the national park, where sensitive sites for possible future housing developments are situated.

In July, it was taken off the planning committee agenda. And on Monday, Mr Jerrard unsuccessfully tried to remove the motion from the agenda, and after a lengthy debate, Barbara Easton was the only councillor who voted in favour, while Thea Jourdan, Eddie Trotter and Mr Jerrard abstained.

Parish chairman Jane Ives issued a statement afterward saying: “At Monday night’s parish council meeting a motion was brought by councillor Jerrard that the parish council should not consider housing in the South Downs National Park as this would be rejected by the South Downs National Park Authority and therefore be a waste of money.

“This motion was soundly defeated by a majority of councillors with only one supporting it."

She continued: “Council members stated the neighbourhood development plan was a community-led project and the appointed steering committee group should continue its work and great efforts to create a space for the community’s voice. It was felt all areas within the Bramshott and Liphook parish should be considered by the community as part of the neighbourhood development plan and it is for them to decide how they wish to use our green spaces.

“The neighbourhood development plan steering group continues to work closely with both of our planning authorities – East Hampshire District Council and the South Downs National Park Authority, as well as the appointed consultant, Feria Urbanism. Together they will endeavour to ensure the neighbourhood development plan will follow the correct process and take into account the detailed planning policy and legislation.

“The parish council and the neighbourhood development plan steering group look forward to the next community engagement event, the design forum, planned for November.”

District councillors Angela Glass, Bill Mouland and Rebecca Standish also issued their own statement, which read: “With regard to the motion that the neighbourhood development plan should only consider those parts of the parish outside of the South Downs National Park, for proposed future development, the advice is the neighbourhood development plan would run a risk that an Inspector would not find the plan to be sound.

“The plan-making process requires consideration of all development options. To predetermine the area of search in advance of considering the spatial position undermines the plan-making process.”

During the meeting, councillors voted in favour of appointing Anna Leslie to be the final member of the steering group, which includes Alistair Cameron, Dominic Taplin, Darren Ellis, Chantal Foo, Andrew Kevil, Roger Miller, as well as parish councillor Jeanette Kirby, district councillor Rebecca Standish and its chairman parish councillor Emma Winfield.

The neighbourhood development plan liaison working party also voted on the appointment of Mrs Leslie. Parish councillor Thea Jourdan has now joined the working party after being voted on as a new member.