PARISH councillor Jackie Poole has replaced colleague Emma Winfield following her resignation from the Neighbourhood Development Plan steering committee last month,

During Monday’s parish council meeting, Jackie was praised for her years of experience as a councillor, her work on the paish plan, the planning committee and as a volunteer with the Liphook in Bloom group.

Councillors also approved a number of new additions to the NDP’s steering group as well as several working parties, after thorough interviews were carried out with candidates by committee members, prior to the council meeting.

John Raeyen will be joining the steering group, while Peter Harris, Mary Braitch, Chris Meech, Vicky Fletcher, Mark Simpson, Heather Salmon and Antoinette Afrikian are waiting to be allocated to various working parties.

In addition, Colin Osbourne has also been approved but will not join the housing working party because of his interest in both the Lowsely Farm and SOS Bohunt Manor Action Groups.

NDP members have welcomed the publication of the report into phase two of the Atkins transport feasibility study covering traffic congestion through the centre of the village.

NDP vice-chairman Chantal Foo said: “The report has been a long time coming, but now it has been published we look forward to using the data gathered in assisting us in formulating the NDP’s end product, the planning policies within our Neighbourhood Development Plan.

“From first assessment of the report it appears the conclusion is 65 per cent of the traffic travelling through the centre of Liphook village, at peak times, is local traffic staying within the parish.

“The conclusions of the report appear to recommend additional investigations into ways to alleviate congestion.

“The NDP itself does not have a remit to recommend any particular solution to the traffic congestion. This remains solely the responsibility of Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council and we look forward to hearing more about the steps they intend to take in response to the report, and its practical bearing on the parish.

“Despite the NDP’s limited remit with respect to highways, the report’s conclusions, and the evidence base used to provide them, will be very useful analysis for the neighbourhood plan, which is primarily a land use plan.

“The report will assist us in our decision-making on where the best locations are that can support future sustainable development, be it recreation, community use, business, retail, infrastructure or housing.

“Our working parties have commenced their work to formulate the policies for our seven ‘policy themes’, and are actively recruiting more members to help us shape the future of our parish.”

The policy themes cover community, housing, access and movement, public services, sports and recreation, heritage and design and employment. The steering group has formed seven working parties to look into each theme and conduct research, evidence gathering and further community consultation.

Anyone interested in knowing more about the NDP, joining the steering group or a working party, should visit the website where more information can be found, along with contact details and an application form.

nVisit www.bramshott and liphookndp.uk for more details.

East Hampshire District Council has appointed its inaugural development liasion officer for Bramshott and Liphook.

Liza Brolly is now the dedicated officer in charge of liaison beween new and existing residents, developers, as well as district and parish councillors, for any new developments in the parish.

She will hold monthly meetings in the village and deal with any queries and concerns making sure they get resolved.

Liza’s first project will be newly named Oak Park, on the former Lowsley Farm site off Longmoor Road, where phase one is currently under construction.

Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties is building 155 new homes, featuring three-, four- and five-bedroom houses, as well as a 30 per cent affordable housing allocation.

EHDC has also given permission for phase two of an additional 175 houses on the Lowsley Farm site.

The use of liaison officers has proven successful elsewhere in the district and offers a dedicated person to whom matters can be directed, if discussions need to take place with developers.

Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council have appointed Susan Garnett as its representative for the initiative and future planned work.