The Localism Act 2011 gave communities rights to influence development in their area by writing a Neighbourhood Plan. Haslemere Vision volunteers, on behalf of the Town Council, have been consulting the community to establish priorities for inclusion in the Plan for Haslemere, Shottermill, Critchmere, Beacon Hill, Hindhead and Grayswood.

The NP will be published for public comment next year and will then be put to a local referendum. If a majority vote yes, the policies can influence planning decisions from then onwards.

NP policies will complement the excellent guidelines for housing and streetscape appearance provided by the Haslemere Design Statement, the effects of which can already be seen in developments such as Middlemarch Mews on the site of the old Total Garage on Hindhead Road.

The key concerns of the NP are land use and housing; it will recommend where houses are built, how many are built on each plot and the balance between land use for employment and for housing. Whilst policies must comply with those at national and borough level, they are a vital chance to influence the future of our town and villages.