EHDC’s new Core Strategy covering future development in the District up to 2028 has now been completed.  It is out for public consultation until 16th March.  It will then go to the independent Inspector who will undertake an “examination on public” probably in August, after which it is hoped that it will be adopted by the Minister by the end of the year.  There is little ground for comment or objection now except on matters which can be shown to be “unsound”.  Those identified so far are matters of detailed interpretation, where the wording needs tightening up to block what might be exploited as legal loopholes.  

More detailed comment is given on this website as follows:

•     Article from Alton Now, Autumn 2011, Download and look on page 8
•     Notes. Fuller explanation of the Core Strategy  by Edward Hepper, dated 19 February 2012,
•     Letter to the Alton Herald, Feb 2012, reprinted in Alton Now, Winter 2011/12. Download and look on page 11

This Core Strategy is exactly that, very strategic for the whole District with no detail for individual parishes.  The next stage, which should be starting very soon, is the preparation of the Alton Neighbourhood Plan (and others for the other parishes) setting out the detail, eg where the new houses required should be sited and how their infrastructure (human and material) needs to be improved.  This again will be subject to public consultation at the appropriate time and we will keep you informed as it develops.