A NEW town centre, more housing and even an hotel - these are all issues on which Bordon residents are being urged to comment as part of the second draft of the local plan.

A six-week period of consultation on the new draft of the local plan has begun and residents of Bordon and the surrounding villages are being asked by East Hampshire District Council to express their views.

The consultation concerns proposed changes to the first draft of the local plan which was put together in 1999 and which, when adopted, will be used as the development blueprint for the district.

Changes in the second review include moves to combine the Forest Shopping Centre, Chalet Hill and the High Street to create a designated shopping area.

Previously the Forest Shopping Centre came under the umbrella as Òa second-tier district centreÓ with Chalet Hill and the High Street being of equal status with areas such as Liss and Clanfield classed as small local centres.

However, planning officers have now put forward new plans which could mean that Bordon, like Alton and Petersfield, would have a designated town centre.

Other proposals include St Lucia Lodge in Lindford Road being designated as an hotel or for educational use with its open, grassed area remaining undeveloped, and land off Lemon Grove, Whitehill, being designated as a childrenÕs play space.

In terms of housing numbers, land off Hogmoor Road, which includes Moorlands sand pit, is designated to take 50 large homes instead of the previous 40.

The Walldown Triangle would take 60 homes, as opposed to the previous 50, but it has now been put on the reserve list meaning that it will only be developed if it is needed.

Village residents are also being asked for their comments.

In Lindford, the allocation ofhomes on the Chase Road site has increased from 100 to 165, and Greatham, Grayshott, Bucks Horn Oak and Passfield Common all have minor amendments to their settlement policy boundaries.

A plan for 50 homes at The Paddock in Headley has been reduced to 30 homes on the reserve list, and Liphook sees major changes proposed to housing allocations at Portsmouth Road and Lowsley Farm as well as an enlarged local centre.

EHDC leader Elizabeth Cartwright said: ÔThe Local Plan is a crucial document which sets out planning policies to protect and enhance the countryside and attractive towns and villages of the district.

ÒIt also guides proposals for new development in the district until 2011.Ó

More than 5,000 comments were made on the first draft of the plan when it was published in October, 1999 and there have been some 1,000 changes to the original plans for the whole of East Hampshire as a result.

A series of local public exhibitions has been arranged between 3 pm and 8-30 pm:

Friday, February 8 - Forest Community Centre, Bordon; Monday, February 11 - Triangle Centre, Liss; Friday, February 22 - Headley Village Hall and Thursday, March 7 - Liphook Church Centre

Susan Halstead, chairman of the development policy panel and development portfolio holder said: ÒI would encourage everyone who has an interest in future development and the environment within the district to read the proposed changes to the plan and to make their views known - whether they be in support of or against the proposals.Ó

p All comments about the proposed changes must be made in writing by March 14 and will be assessed by the council. Further changes may be made. It is hoped that the new local plan can be adopted in 2005 after a planning inquiry.