FOLLOWING three design forum events in November, Emma Winfield – the chairman of the steering committee for Bramshott and Liphook’s Neighbourhood Development Plan – has been questioned on its focus on developers.

She said developers had been invited to attend, because neighbourhood development plans have a focus on the use of land and buildings, and it was critical the process made clear at an early stage where in the parish such development pressures were and why.

Mrs Winfield said: “The NDP steering group has worked closely with the parish council and the appointed independent consultant, Feria Urbanism.

“Views expressed by the developers have been recorded and acknowledged but are not being endorsed or promoted by the steering group or the parish council.

“Having landowners and developers as an active part in the process has allowed the community to see and hear developers’ aspirations for certain areas of the parish – and allowed those same developers to be challenged and questioned by the community.

“The process has been a genuine two-way exchange of ideas. The next stages of the NDP will help the community to harness this broad base of knowledge to create a plan that can be tested and refined.

“As part of this next stage, the NDP will layer into the land-use plan a diverse range of community aspirations already identified.

“By following this process the steering group can begin to formulate robust policy text that will shape and influence future development proposals in an effective way.

Feria Urbanism’s Richard Eastham said: “From experience, we consider this approach of early engagement with developers works well.

“It avoids a scenario whereby developers and landowners arrive late to the process, and challenge well-intentioned policies late in the day, which can be very frustrating for a community.”

Feria Urbanism will deliver its report on the results of the design forums in the new year and Mr Eastham is due to attend the first NDP steering group meeting, on Tuesday, January 9, at the Millennium Centre, starting at 7.30pm, which is open to members of the public.