Neighbourhood Plan Vision
Our Plan seeks to accommodate development, where necessary or desirable, while aiming to ensure that Hartley Wintney remains the unique and cherished village that it is today: a vibrant, sustainable and forward-looking community which is an attractive place to live, work and visit. Development will continue to take place and our village will expand and change. But we will engage with developers to ensure that new housing, retail and general business development supports the long term benefit, well-being and educational needs of the whole community. We will seek ways to resolve the issues of most concern to the residents. At the same time we will seek to preserve the green fields, heathlands and woodlands that surround our village and give succour to its community spirit and well-being.
Aim
The purpose of this Plan is to allow the residents of Hartley Wintney to help shape the development and construction of the future Hartley Wintney while minimising the destruction of those historic and other elements which are seen to add value to living in this parish
Present day Hartley Wintney is predominantly a residential area enjoying rural surroundings and supported by retail businesses, light industry, service businesses and with a population employed in a mix of local and surrounding areas with some commuting to larger conurbations.
It has a long history dating back to 1234 when the church of St Mary's was built by the nuns from the nearby Wintney Convent amongst a small settlement of subsistence farmers on the highest point of the area. Its history is evidenced by, not least, 76 listed buildings, from large country houses – West Green House – to Middle Age churches – St Mary’s – to local pubs – The Waggon and Horses.
It is surrounded on all sides by heathland, ancient woodland, arable land and green spaces.
Despite some significant post WWII residential developments, it maintains the feel of a village evidenced by such as the magnificent central oak common, whose trees were planted shortly after the Battle of Trafalgar and the cricket green which is home to one of the first cricket clubs in the country. It has an active and busy local community evidenced through such as the large number of local associations connected with social well-being, charity, sport, history, religion, schools, etc and the number of regularly used meeting facilities including halls, club houses, restaurants, tea and coffee houses.
It is central to making the wider area, Hart, recognised as one of the most desirable areas in the country in which to live.
These environmental and historical amenities are in our hands to protect for future generations. Development will always be an essential factor of an ever-changing society addressing current and future needs and the Neighbourhood Plan will shape and manage this development while, at the same time, seek to preserve our precious and fragile environment.
BACKGROUND
The area in which we live is shaped by many factors each of which delivers varying degrees of ‘agreeability’ upon the individual depending upon their needs, circumstances and tastes. Construction and development reshape and change the area and, while each associated project may be intended to deliver improvements, the consequences of these changes will be seen and felt differently, and perceived in a more positive or negative manner, by those who reside, work and pass through the area. Similarly, consequences may also be felt from the absence of development in the area or by that in neighbouring areas.
Development is driven by perceived needs from both within and outside an area. New or replacement housing, industrial buildings, agricultural changes and transport links are obvious major developments.
Developments are controlled through our planning regulations. Through the Localism Act 2012 the Government has encouraged all local communities to produce a Neighbourhood Plan. A Neighbourhood Plan is a statutory and binding document which, through consultation, represents the views and concerns of all residents and will influence the future of an area for years to come.
A Neighbourhood Plan is especially important to Hartley Wintney at this point in time since our community is currently at risk of development proceeding within a planning vacuum that exists, caused by Hart having no Local Plan or planning strategy.
Timeline
July 2017 - the timeline for the remaining Plan activities can be viewed by clicking on the link below
Remaining Plan Activities - Juy 2017
The timeline for the overall Neighbourhood Plan as at July 2016 can be viewed by clicking on the link below:
Meeting Minutes
Please click on any link below to open the required minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Neighbourhood Plan?
A Steering Group has been setup by the Parish Council. Its purpose is to conduct a dialogue with the local community to inform the Neighbourhood Plan in terms of the vision for the future of Hartley Wintney. This provides your opportunity to influence development in the Parish.
The NP is a statutory document within the planning process, has legal weighting and will run until 2032 alongside Hart’s own Local Plan (once that is in place) when determining applications for development. In light of the current planning policy vacuum resulting from the lack of a current Local Plan at Hart District Council, it has been decided that Hartley Wintney would benefit from a Neighbourhood Plan.
Can I read it? Does it exist?
Which areas are inside the Parish?
So it’s about Housing?
Where does this fit into Hart District Council’s Plans ? Why can’t we just stop new houses being built?
Since Steering Group is following a statutory process we’re deliberately avoiding specific numbers here – we’re looking to explain the process, and represent the views of residents in the Neighbourhood Plan.
What is the objective of the Steering Group?
How will the Steering Group do this?
Who is part of the Steering Group ?
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