Hailsham Enters Final Stage of Neighbourhood Plan Process

The final steps towards the publication of a Neighbourhood Plan for Hailsham are coming ever closer, following the assessment of the final Plan draft by an Independent Planning Inspector.

The Hailsham Neighbourhood Plan, written by a group made up of members from the community and from Hailsham Town Council, proposes a number of policies relating to what infrastructure and development is needed to sustain future housing growth in the Hailsham area, taking into consideration local environment and sustainability, design, housing type, traffic and transport, economy, services and facilities.

The Town Council’s Neighbourhood Planning Committee has responded to comments and feedback received by an Independent Planning Inspector on the final Plan document and liaised with Wealden District Council regarding any issues and representations put forward.

It is the responsibility of Wealden District Council to collect all comments and representations, which will then be submitted to an independent examiner for inspection of the Plan documents before proceeding to referendum in the coming months.

“It’s been a long process to get this far with the development of a neighbourhood plan for Hailsham,” said Councillor Mary Laxton, chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning Committee. “Nevertheless, I’m really pleased for the local community after the amount of work they have contributed to get to this stage in the process.”

“Special thanks must be given to my fellow Neighbourhood Planning Committee members, in addition to the appointed consultants – Troy Planning Ltd – for their hard work from the outset, and members of the public who attended our various consultation meetings and engagement events – having taken the time to share their views and give us vital feedback.”

Cllr Laxton added: “Despite the delays to progress earlier this year, I’m delighted that things are moving forward again with the next stages of the Neighbourhood Plan process.”

“Once the referendum has taken place and you, the residents, have chosen to endorse the Plan and it is subsequently adopted by Wealden District Council, the Hailsham Neighbourhood Plan must be given due weight and consideration in future planning applications.”

Further information on the Hailsham Neighbourhood Plan, including important announcements, can be found online at www.hailshamneighbourhoodplan.co.uk.