The referendum on Burghclere’s Neighbourhood Plan took place on 6 May 2021 and was approved by over 81% of the votes cast. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council adopted the Burghclere Neighbourhood Plan at its full Council meeting on 27 May 2021 and was subsequently modified in May 2023. The Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the Borough’s Development Plan.
BURGHCLERE PARISH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Appendix 3 Green Infrastructure & Nature Recovery Report
Burghclere Neighbourhood Plan (Monitoring year 1)
Final Burghclere Neighbourhood Plan Monitoring 2024
Final Burghclere Neighbourhood Plan Monitoring Report 2025 (002)
What is the Neighbourhood Plan?
Neighbourhood planning gives us, the local community, direct power to develop a shared vision, and to shape the development and growth of our local area. We can choose where we want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have our say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings we would like to see go ahead.
Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools for us to ensure that we get the right types of development for our community, where our ambition for the neighbourhood is aligned with the strategic needs and priorities of the wider area.
The neighbourhood plan is a legal document to be used by the parish council to evaluate new planning applications and by the borough council to enforce changes to planning applications which do not conform to the plan.
What is included in the neighbourhood plan?
The neighbourhood plan includes a vision statement, strategic aims and policies. The policies are the core of the neighbourhood plan. They are used by the parish planning committee to assess every planning application. Now the neighbourhood plan has been approved by the borough and accepted by the parish in a local referendum it has legal force and can be used by the planning committee to reject or amend applications if they contravene the requirements of one or more of the policies. In this way, the policies give the parish planning committee greater control over planning applications than before and importantly, the borough planning committee is also bound by them. Policies reflect the strategic aims of the parish so that they can be used to shape applications according to the wishes of the residents. Policies are based on evidence collected during the preparation of the neighbourhood plan document and cannot contravene any existing borough, national, or EU planning rules, nor duplicate policies that already exist in higher planning rules such as the Borough Council’s local plan.
Can we put in anything we like?
No. While there is scope to specify policies unique to Burghclere, all neighbourhood plans must conform to the government’s National Planning Policy Framework and the Borough Council’s Local Plan. There are limits as to what a neighbourhood plan can and can’t do; for example, it cannot arbitrarily stop any new development. What it can do is give us the opportunity (perhaps our only opportunity) to influence the scale and nature of such development, and to ensure it is as good as it can be for our area.
Review 2023
Unlike the Local Plan there is no statutory requirement to review a neighbourhood plan. However, in December 2021 the parish council decided to undertake one. The Regulation 16 consultation period ended on 20th February 2023 after which the Independent Examiner, Janet Cheesley, commenced her examination and completed it on 10 March sending it for checking to the parish council and B&DBC. After making a couple of observations on factual matters, which were accepted, the Independent Examiner published her report on 27 March.
Final Plan
At the parish council meeting on 3 April 2023, the PC as Qualifying Body accepted the Examiner’s Report and informed B&DBC. It also agreed to extend the 56 day statutory deadline that the Council is given to make the Plan, due to the the purdah period ahead of the local elections on 4 May. Amendments were made to the final Neighbourhood Plan and submitted to B&DBC.
Internal checking took and the Portfolio Holder was satisfied that all the documentation is correct. In accordance with Regulation 18 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, the proposed modifications were accepted by the borough council. The relevant paperwork was distributed and is available at the Portal Hall, Church of Ascension and Sports Club – copies can be accessed below:
Regulation 19 – The ‘made’ Plan
On 18 May 2023, the borough council made (adopted) the NP (Regulation 19). The Regulation 19 Decision Notice is below with links to the associated documents, which can also be found on this website.
Review 2025
Burghclere Parish Council have resolved to undertake another review of the Neighbourhood Plan following the last review which took place in May 2023. Whilst another review isn’t immediately due, the Parish Council took the decision to proceed with a review now in response to the new government National Planning Policy Framework and the resulting pressure locally for an increase in housing numbers. Reviewing the NP now will help to ensure the NP gives the parish some protection against those pressures.
A steering group has been formed made up of Parish Councillors and Parishioners. New members are welcomed.
Burghclere Neighbourhood Plan review Steering Group-Terms of Reference 2025
Burghclere NP supporting documents
All the documentation and records produced for the neighbourhood plan and subsequent review are available either from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s website or can be accessed below. Any other queries can be directed to our parish clerk (see Contact Us).
Land off Harts Lane/Winchester Road Supporting Documents:
Arboricultural Impact Assessment
Preliminary Ecological appraisal
“Guidance for service users and examiners”
Regulation 16 consultation submissions are here
B&DBC’s website
BDBC Neighbourhood Plan SEA/HRA Screening Report – October 2022
Burghclere NP Final Sustainability Appraisal Report (AECOM Nov 2019)
Burghclere NP Sustainability Appraisal Addendum Report (December 2022)
Burghclere NP Consultation Statement (2019) and Addendum Version (Dec 2022)
Burghclere NP Basic Conditions Statement (December 2022)
Site Selection Report (20191114)
Major Development within NWD AONB (20190716)
Traffic and Parking (20190914)
Tourism (20190914)
Green Infrastructure and Nature Recovery Report (Dec 2022)
Local Greenspaces (20190916)
Key Views (20190916)
Business (20181119)
Rural Business Hub (20181117)
Business Needs Survey Report (20191106)
Community Facilities, Buildings and Land Report (20180627)
Residential Garden Land Policy Justification (20191010)
National Design Guide
Access Technical Note
Arboricultural Impact Assessment
Flood Risk and Drainage Note
Historical Environment Note
BDBC Local Plan
Supplementary Planning Documents (and other guidance)
North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2019-2024
Initial Landscape and Visual Appraisal
Preliminary Ecological Appraisal
Burghclere NP SEA Scoping Report V.20 (AECOM March 2019)
Basingstoke and Deane Landscape Character Appraisal (2021)
Burghclere NP Modified Plan Examiner’s Report
Notice of Decision
Reg 18 Decision Statement
Burghclere NP Modified Plan Examiner’s Report-FINAL
Regulation 19 – Decision Notice – B&DBC