Yateley, and Frogmore Neighbourhood Plan

Update for Town Meeting 14th March 2019 YDGF NP Steering Group Contents

1. Overall approach - Richard Quarterman 2. The Sub-Group Concept – Richard Quarterman 3. Sub-Group progress reports: 1. “Getting Around” – Paul Simpson and Luke Buckland 2. Open Spaces Sub-Group – Alison Hewitt and Gill Gray 4. Summary – Richard Quarterman What is a Neighbourhood Plan?

• Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood, and shape the development and growth of their local area. • Introduced in the Localism Act of 2011 • Covers period up to 2032 • Must meet certain conditions: • Must be consistent with Local Authority’s Local Plan • Must be supported by evidence and consultation with the community • Must conform to the legal terms of reference for a Neighbourhood Plan • Must be approved by Government inspectors • Must be agreed by public referendum • Commissioned by Yateley Town Council, but not council-led • Steering Group is a non-political grouping made up of volunteers and Councillors Why Do We Need a Neighbourhood Plan for Yateley, Darby Green and Frogmore?

• Several communities in Hart have already developed Neighbourhood Plans: • Rotherwick • • • Many more have started the process • Provides an additional layer of control over development decisions • Protects against inappropriate, speculative development • Builds a community consensus on our vision and expectations for own town • Will complement and reinforce Hart DC’s Local Plan What we have done so far

• Appointed a Steering Group of volunteers and councillors • Applied to Hart for Designation of our Area • Compiled our Initial Vision and Objectives for Yateley, Darby Green and Frogmore • Engaged with public at the 2018 May Fayre • Conducted an initial survey on the Vision and Objectives • 492 people responded to our online survey • 94% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with our vision and objectives • Of our 17 initial objectives, 13 were ranked in their “top five” by at least 25% of respondents • Launched a web-site and Facebook page

Our Objectives for the YDF Neighbourhood Plan

Happy Attractive Sustainable Inclusive

A. Use Community E. Statement of J. Better traffic O. Ensure new Infrastructure design principles management development is of an Levy to fund local and standards K. Appropriate parking appropriate type, facilities F. Protect open provision size, density and B. Cycle/pedestrian spaces and L. Encourage quality that paths and other waterscapes sympathetic contributes to the facilities to G. Encourage redevelopment of community’s needs encourage healthy biodiversity by shopping and P. Provide sufficient lifestyles providing habitats business facilities affordable housing, C. Encourage better for local wildlife M. Campaign for better particularly starter facilities for young H. Preserve historic public and homes and flats people buildings and community transport Q. Ensure development D. Safe, well- views N. Encourage energy is supported by maintained and I. Protect strategic efficiency infrastructure (e.g. well-lit public gaps between medical and school spaces communities capacity)

Important Note – Not all of this may be deliverable through a Neighbourhood Plan. Further work will be required to identify which can be included in the Plan, and which will need to be taken forward some other way. Top Priorities identified from the survey

Prioritised Objectives Most frequently commented topics 1. Provide sufficient affordable housing, • More smaller and starter particularly starter homes and flats homes 2. Ensure development is supported by • Road and pavement repairs infrastructure (e.g. medical and school • General support and thanks capacity) • More infrastructure for new 3. Ensure new development is of an developments (health etc) appropriate type, size, density and • Maintain open spaces and quality that contributes to the common land community's needs • Reduce crime and disorder 4. Protect open spaces and waterscapes • Better transport links 5. Encourage better facilities for young people • Improve parking at the shops 6. Protect strategic gaps between • Improve the shopping parade communities • Deal with traffic congestion

The Sub-Group Concept

• Based on this feedback, we suggested five key areas of research, and set up sub-groups to investigate further • Sub-group structure agreed at Steering Group meeting in August 2018 • The groups are: • Housing • Transport and Mobility (since renamed “Getting Around”) • Open Spaces and Wildlife • Community and Leisure • Business and Regeneration The Sub-Group Concept

• Since August, we have had had variable levels of progress across the groups, for a number of reasons: • Some difficulty finding volunteers with sufficient time and/or expertise to lead and run groups • Lack of clarity on the status and impact of Hart’s Local Plan • Absence of “burning platform” due to the reduced risk of significant further development in Yateley • Problems engaging the interest and commitment of stakeholders and the wider community • Two groups, Getting Around and Open Spaces, have made sufficient progress to report back, which they will do now