The Government are going to change the planning rules for Local Authorities (National Policy Planning Framework- NPPF) This will have huge effect on Basingstoke, increasing the number of houses to be built by 300 per year.  Basingstoke and Deane's Local Plan is now at an advanced stage and making changes at this stage would mean a significant waste of tax payers' money and time in rewriting it. The danger is large scale developments, such as Upper Swallick, might be back on the table.

Please respond by email to the Government's Consultation  at PlanningPolicyConsultation@communities.gov.uk         PLEASE ACT NOW: it needs to reach them by 11.45pm on Tuesday 24 September.

Suggested responses: 1)Major Concern is that where Councils have reached the Reg18/19 threshold they should be allowed to complete their Plan rather starting a new plan due to a changed NPPF to avoid significant waste of tax payers money & further delays in delivery of new homes.

2) Housing development on high/mid quality agricultural land should be avoided - Food Security is Critical.

3)The NPPF should ensure that housing developers deliver existing approved planning permissions promptly.