By David Howell, chairman of the Farnham Society planning committee, on behalf of the ‘Say Yes’ campaign

NEIGHBOURHOOD planning gives local communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area.

Carole Cockburn, leader of Farnham Town Council and one of the driving forces behind the development of the Neighbourhood Plan, said in July 2016: “From the outset there was no master plan and no top down expectation. This Neighbourhood Plan was written by the residents of Farnham from the start. Throughout the process, every draft has been widely available for comment and these comments have influenced the next draft.

“Why were so many people prepared to give up so much of their time to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan? What is its importance to Farnham? Quite simply, it is the town’s best chance to direct development to chosen areas and to influence the design of such development. It is not a total solution to Farnham’s problems but it will give the town some control over its future.”

The Farnham Neighbourhood Plan has been produced in consultation with the residents and businesses in Farnham over a four-year period, providing a definitive strategy for the development in Farnham as a whole. Farnham Town Council was commended for its level of consultation with residents by the examiner who commented that “the approach was extensive and inclusive’ and ‘the preparation of the plan has been open and transparent and conducted in a very thorough and comprehensive manner”. The plan defines where new homes, shops and other businesses will be built and what infrastructure should be provided.

The plan was developed and produced by Farnham Town Council to ensure that the distinctive areas of Farnham remain so, and helps protect its surrounding countryside for future generations.

The Farnham Neighbourhood Plan covers the area from Heath End to Rowledge, Dippenhall to Runfold, Wrecclesham to Badshot Lea and has 32 policies controlling the environment, housing, business, the town centre and neighbourhood centres, leisure and, lastly, the local infrastructure.

Recognising the demand for housing in Farnham, the document provides for 2,201 new homes over the plan period through to 2031 - 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 784 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.

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; Rowledge and Wrecclesham; Rowledge and Boundstone and Rowledge and Frensham.

It also 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. 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 policy 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.

The examiner, Derek Stebbing, commented in his report on the plan that “I recommend to Waverley Borough Council that, subject to the modifications proposed in this report (which are minor), the Farnham Neighbourhood Development Plan can proceed to referendum”.

He continued: “It is evident from my examination that a substantial amount of time and effort has been committed to the development and production of this plan by many people in Farnham and I commend all those involved.”

You can see a copy of the Farnham Neighbourhood Plan at the Farnham Town Hall in South Street or view online at www.farnham.gov.uk and www.farnhamsociety.org.uk

This will be one of the most important local issues for years, the most important local planning document for decades. Take time to review the document to understand what its goals are. Please take the time to vote.

A majority of the local Residents Associations have also combined together to write to The Herald’s letters page and urged readers and residents to vote ‘Yes’.

What is the Referendum for?

To decide whether the Neighbourhood Plan prepared by Farnham Town Council should be the means used to determine the development strategy for Farnham.

The question you will be asked is:

‘Do you want Waverley Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Farnham to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area ?’

How to vote

It’s easy. As long as you’re on the electoral roll you just vote on your referendum ballot paper you will receive at your regular polling station around Farnham on Thursday, May 4, the same day as the Surrey County Council elections.

For the people of Farnham, how can the answer be anything other than YES.