FOLLOWING a successful neighbourhood development plan event, held in June to explore the main challenges and opportunities within the parish, a report has been published by the planning expert who led the discussions among community representatives and members of the public.

The NDP event, held at the Millennium Centre, was led by Richard Eastham of Feria Urbanism, an independent planning and design team, providing advice and support on the process of developing a neighbourhood plan and introducing fresh ideas and new ways of thinking.

Mr Eastham suggested that despite being a challenging process which involved a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) to be carried out by experts, a draft neighbourhood plan could be produced by early 2018, followed by a six-week public consultation, which could see the Bramshott and Liphook Neighbourhood Development Plan adopted late next year.

Emma Winfield, chairman of the NDP steering committee, told The Herald: “This is an important report on the visioning event and forms part of our journey to form a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

“However I would like to reiterate that this isn’t the NDP, but it does provide us with an early indication of themes and topics that matter to the community and will help shape the next steps of the project.”

Mr Eastham’s comprehensive report outlined the top 10 qualities as well as the 10 most important challenges within the parish.

Attracting more than 60 people from various community groups, businesses and organisations, who took part in the “speed planning” workshop, Liphook was described as being friendly, safe, attractive, green, clean, distinctive, inclusive, refreshing, fun and unique.

Challenges were identified in housing growth, traffic, rail services, employment space, health services, non-school youth opportunities, shops, countryside protection, architectural quality as well a schools and education.

Mr Eastham’s report reveals young professionals currently lack opportunities to purchase their first home within the parish.

They also face a lack of local employment, and suitable leisure activities.

Limited employment premises and a lack of ability to sustain shops and businesses in the village were attributed to a “disjointed town centre”.

For teenagers, limited ability to travel within the area as well as a lack of access to leisure activities were compensated by good school facilities within the parish, well-attended sports and youth clubs and sports facilities at Bohunt School.

Despite the thriving schools and the forthcoming opening of Bohunt’s sixth form, the report stated there was a significant under-provision of all forms of pre-school child care.

One of the most popular nurseries in the parish was forced to close when the parish school closed the Beacon building which had been home to The Willows nursery 14 years until August 2015 and closed completely after one year based at the Millennium Centre.

Common concerns noted in the report were access to various types of health facilities and the lack of public transport, as well as a shortage of “downsize” properties.

But all social groups and the Liphook Day Centre for the elderly were praised and it was felt a sense of community make the parish a desirable place to live, with Liphook in Bloom and heritage architecture adding to the visual appeal.

Old Thorns Golf and Country Hotel, the bank, charity shops and Sainsbury’s supermarket were all described as thriving businesses, which bring people to the village.

Rail links to London and good road connections were seen as opportunities to attract further businesses and employment.

The report stated many different sites within the parish were highlighted as areas that should not be developed, but there were also areas available and suitable for housing development.

It was felt there is a need to provide housing somewhere within the parish provided that appropriate infra- structure is put in place to accommodate it.

Areas within the parish which gained most positive attention were the surrounding green spaces, the library, Bohunt School, the Millennium Centre, pubs, golf clubs, Radford Park and recreational grounds.

Despite some safety issues experienced at night time, most of Liphook was considered generally safe.

Historic areas such as Bramshott village, St Mary’s Church, the Bramshott war graves and the centre of Liphook with its heritage architecture were identified as areas to be proud of, while areas of specific scientific interest (SSSI) and part of the South Downs National Park were considered worthy of protection.

In contrast, all six main roads leading in and out of the centre of the village, dangerous junctions, school drop-off traffic and pedestrian safety raised the highest concern as did parking generally.

Transport issues feature highly in the report with the railway station providing links which are time dependent while buses were described as “infrequent”.

Traffic levels and parking during peak times, narrow, uneven pavements and the lack of cycle lanes make getting around the village awkward for many were also highlighted.

Alternative routes to avoid congestion in the village centre which would involve new roads being built, were suggested, and it was pointed out East Hampshire District Council had commissioned Hampshire County Council to produce a traffic report, which has yet to see light of day.

The Feria report concluded a neighbourhood development plan is essential for the parish, and can tackle many of the concerns.

It would also encourage planned sustainable development, improve infrastructure while retaining a safe village environment and could turn Liphook into the “gateway” to the South Downs National Park.

Mr Eastham pointed out many issues concerning the parish were traffic-related and although a neighbourhood plan could address them it is notoriously difficult to come up with a solution where general and through traffic is concerned.

He warned: “Be careful what you wish for. A relief road is an expensive option and will automatically mean more housing.

“To start with the traffic problem is often the wrong way to find a solution.

“Supportive road solutions are cheaper and can be funded by developers.”

He proposed a two to three-day design forum to be held in November, where key concerns within the village can be discussed involving workshops and presentations by different societies, organisations, businesses, developers and schools as well as representatives from EHDC and the SDNPA,

It would be open to the public in the evenings, where emerging work could be exhibited, to increase community participation.

Having conducted several “crowd-syncing” events in the past for other communities, Mr Eastham stated they were an efficient and productive method which produced a broad plan to be used to task future development applications, as well as testing out “big ideas”, playing to the strengths of the people who wanted to commit to the process.

He claimed despite being intense, the design forum would break down barriers, involves all age groups, grow ideas which could then be put into a structured plan and would be highly beneficial in putting together an NDP - while the results could be used for an interim report, providing the skeleton and bare bones of a neighbourhood development plan, clarifying its objectives.

For more information visit www.bramshottandliphookndp.uk