4896 signatures!!  Can we make it 5000 before the end of 2022?? 
Do share widely!  Thank you!

Any comments or suggestions? Email thealtonsociety@gmail.com

Dear Petitioners!

Finally a chance to write to you all again....

The last update concerned news of a Consultation coming ‘towards the end’ of 2022... well it’s now here!

And there’s a debate in parliament tomorrow (Wed 23rd) and we’d like you to take a few minutes to write to Damian Hinds – details below! (Sorry for short notice!)

First – finally a potential route to change - write to Damian Hinds today (if you read this today!)  damian.hinds.mp@parliament.uk – to ask him to ask the government to support Theresa Villier’s amendment to the Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill which will be debated in Parliament tomorrow --- Wed 23rd November. 

We need to point out to him that her amendment is a helpful and vital reform if our irreplaceable countryside is to be protected.   A vote against her amendment is a vote against the interests of all of his constituents (both inside and outside the SDNP) and we expect him to make the strongest possible representations to Michael Gove, Lucy Frazer and Lee Rowley that the Government should adopt it.

The campaign has been advised that the specific  effect of this amendment would be to make housing targets advisory and remove the existing presumption in favour of development.  This would return decision making to local councils and communities, not the Planning Inspectorate.

The relevant amendment is on page 60 of the pdf at this link: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/58-03/0169/amend/levelling_up_rep_rm_1118.pdf

Second – respond to the EHDC Local Plan Consultation from the point of view of saving Chawton Park Farm from development.  This is a Reg 18 Part 1 consultation which started on Monday this week.  It ends on 16th Jan.   The second part will take place in September 2023 which will focus on sites.  This one is on ‘Issues and Priorities’

Here is the link: https://ehdclocalplan.commonplace.is/

And here are the local drop in events:

• Alton Assembly Rooms on Wed 7th December and 
• Forest Community Centre Whitehill & Bordon, Thurs 8th December both at 3.30pm - 6.30pm.

We need to ensure that Chawton Park Farm is not included in the Sites consultation because we have been advised that “as soon as a council identifies and names a site to be included in a Local Plan it’s all but impossible to stop development on that site even if that version of the plan is withdrawn”.  So it’s vital that we all get involved to ensure that Chawton Park Farm for one is not included in the ‘Sites’ Consultation next September.

This consultation (and the next one in September 2023) may be the last time we can have our say for many years – please be heard – give your opinion on-line or in person.

That’s all for now and thanks for reading and for your continuing support!