Neighbourhood Plans are about allocating land for development. They came into being under the Localism Act 2011 and give local communities the ability to determine where new houses, businesses, shops and community facilities should be located and to allocate smaller sites for development. They may also include more detailed planning policies such as how new development should look.
There are various sources of advice and guidance to how Neighbourhood Plans should be prepared and how to hold a local referendum. Further information can be found on the following websites:
The Government's regulations formally set out the key stages to be followed and who can produce one. At present Parish Councils can undertake the process and in non-parished areas a designated Neighbourhood Forum consisting of residents, businesses and other community interests can take the lead.
All Neighbourhood Plans must be produced in line with national planning policy and guidance and locally produced planning policies and other relevant legislation.
The process will include a number of stages including community engagement and consultation on the draft document. Given that a Neighbourhood Plan once adopted will be used to determine planning applications the Plan must also be subject to an independent examination and a community referendum, where at least 51% of those voting must agree to it, before it can be adopted.
Where can I find more information?
Parishes within Winchester District, outside the South Downs National Park should contact the Planning Policy team in the first instance planningpolicy@winchester.gov.uk
Parishes within Winchester District that fall within the South Downs National Park (and for parishes that cross the boundary, if your main settlement falls within the National Park) should contact the South Downs National Park Neighbourhood Plans Officer at neighbourhood@southdowns.gov.uk.
Wickham and Knowle Parish Council are in the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The City Council has designated Wickham and Knowle Parish as a Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of producing a Neighbourhood Plan. Further details can be viewed on the Parish Council website - Neighbourhood Plan | Wickham and Knowle Parish Council
Following a positive result in the referendum held on 5 March 2015 (1546 in favour, 785 against), Winchester City Council ‘made’ the Denmead Neighbourhood Plan part of the Winchester District Development Plan at its Council meeting on 1 April 2015.
The Parish Council is now in the process of reviewing the Neighbourhood Plan and further details can be found on their website Denmead Neighbourhood Plan.
Hursley Parish Council are in the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The City Council has designated Hursley Parish as a Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of producing a Neighbourhood Plan.
New Alresford Parish Council are in the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The City Council has designated New Alresford Parish as a Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of producing a Neighbourhood Plan.
Curdridge Parish Council are in the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Development Plan. The City Council has designated Curdridge Parish as a Neighbourhood Area for the purposes of producing a Neighbourhood Plan.
Further details are set out on Curdridge Parish Council web pages here, which includes a link to the Regulation 14 draft Neighbourhood Plan which is published for consultation until 10 April 2026.
