THREE years in the making, Farnham’s Neighbourhood Plan has finally been submitted for independent analysis - setting out a community-driven blueprint of how Farnham is to develop between now and 2031.

Once adopted, the plan does not possess the power to block development outright but with a raft of planning applications in the pipeline for Farnham, it can be used to influence the type, design, location and mix of any new development.

To this end, the exhaustive document contains 32 local planning policies protecting Farnham’s historic character, countryside, environment, economy and even pubs, and reinforcing how the community would like their town to grow.

Setting out its core principals, the plan states: “Our vision is for Farnham to continue to thrive, meeting the changing needs of the local community by ensuring new development of high quality design fits well with, and does not erode, the character of the distinctive areas of the town and is supported by improved infrastructure.”

Recognising the demand for housing in Farnham, the document provides for 2,248 new homes over the plan period - broadly in line with Waverley’s emerging Local Plan.

This comprises 1,029 homes on sites already completed or granted planning permission since 2013, and 845 on sites identified by the community and landowners, including:

• Part of SSE Farnham Depot, Lower Weybourne Lane and adjoining SSE land -  100 homes.

• Land west of Green Lane, Badshot Lea - 110 homes.

• Land at Little Acres Nursery and part of land south of Badshot Lea - 125 homes.

• The Woolmead, East Street - 100 homes.

• Coxbridge Farm, off Alton Road - 350 homes.

In reference to the Brightwells regeneration scheme, the plan endorses a mixed-use development on land south of East Street but insists this is “designed to a high quality which responds to the heritage and distinctive character of the town centre conservation area”. It includes a similar policy concerning the redevelopment of the adjacent Woolmead shopping precinct.

The plan promises support for more student accommodation and includes a policy encouraging smaller one or two bedroom homes “to meet an identified local need” as well as sheltered housing, extra care housing and nursing homes for older people “on suitable sites”.

However, it also stresses that any new development must be supported by sufficient infrastructure “to ensure the quality of life of existing and future residents” as well as suitable mitigation of its impact on the protected heathland surrounding Farnham.

The plan reinforces the built-up boundaries of Farnham and includes policies to resist any development in the countryside between these boundaries, combatting ’coalescence’ between Farnham and Aldershot, Badshot Lea and Weybourne, and Rowledge and Wrecclesham, Boundstone and Frensham.

It also grants additional protection to the Farnham town centre, Great Austins, Wrecclesham and Old Church Lane conservation areas, as well as the South Farnham ‘arcadian’ areas and the Old Historic Farnham Park - a newly designated area incorporating much of the countryside between Farnham and Folly Hill.

It sets out objectives to support a balanced local economy with a “thriving town centre office sector” and to retain and regenerate existing business sites around the town, as well as supporting the provision of a new 12 acre business site at Water Lane.

And the plan also acknowledges Farnham’s growing creative industries sector and sets out a specific policy to support a new ‘Enterprise and Incubation Hub’ at the University for the Creative Arts.

It seeks to maintain a range of shops in Farnham’s 10 existing ‘neighbourhood centres’ and includes a new policy introduced since the ‘regulation 14’ consultation phase giving protection to Farnham’s pubs - promising to resist the loss of public houses “where possible”.

Potential new sports pitches are also identified on former landfill sites in Weydon Lane and Runfold, while developers of large sites will be expected to either provide new accessible public open space for their residents, or pay to improve existing parks, gardens, play areas, allotments or sports pitches across the town.

Following Farnham Town Council’s decision last Thursday to submit the plan for independent analysis, Waverley Borough Council is now expected to begin the final regulation 16 consultation later this summer.

This consultation lasts six weeks and all comments are passed straight onto an independent inspector who will then examine the plan and decide to either reject, amend or support the plan as it stands.

Should the inspector agree the plan, with or without amendments, can be put out to a referendum and the majority of those responding vote in favour of the document, Farnham’s Neighbourhood Plan will become planning policy.

If adopted, the Neighbourhood Plan will carry the same weight as Waverley’s emerging Local Plan. If all goes smoothly, it is hoped the document will come into force this winter.

To view the draft plan and supporting evidence in full visit the website www.farnham.gov.uk/shapefarnham.