A SERIES of drop-in sessions has been arranged to meet members of the Fernhurst Neighbourhood Plan steering group who will answer questions about it before it goes to a referendum next month. The sessions at the Fernhurst Centre are on Tuesday: February 9 (10.30am-12.30pm); February 16 (2.30-5pm) and February 23 (7-9pm).

The plan’s final version has now been published and eligible residents will receive a polling card this week before the referendum on Wednesday, March 2, in the village hall. Villagers will be asked whether the neighbourhood plan should be adopted as part of the South Downs National Park planning framework – all future applications in the parish would have to comply with it for the next 15 years.

Some 80 volunteers have researched village boundaries, brownfield sites at Syngenta, Bridgelands and Hurstfold, employment provision, protecting green spaces, youth facilities, allotments, community facilities and bus services. Copies can be seen at the centre online at www.fernhurstpc.org.uk. or bought for £5.