Beech Parish Plan

Photo Competition winners

Most of the pictures on this page were submitted as part of the 2011 Photo Competition.

Click here to see all the winning entries!

Update – November 2011

We are now at something of a crossroads in our development of the Plan, as details are just starting to emerge about the impact of the Localism Bill, the new National Policy Planning Framework, and the requirement for Neighbourhood Development Plans. Many of us are of the view that we must now change direction to ensure that we produce a Plan that is ‘fit for the future’. This does not mean that the work we have done already will be wasted, nor that we cease activity in our five key areas. But we now have to re-think our approach, so that we ensure that our Plan can be adopted by East Hants District Council (EHDC) and used as a guide in making future planning decisions.

Following an open meeting in the Village Hall on 22nd October at which this new situation was explained and discussed with a number of you, the next step is further discussion with the Parish Council on 21st November. After that, we have been advised to attend the Community Forum in Alton on 24th January 2012 which will be devoted to this topic. Then we will incorporate what we have done into a new process designed to produce a Neighbourhood Development Plan in the Spring of 2012.

Nevertheless, the five topic groups, formed on the basis of your comments in the original questionnaire, have made considerable progress in recent months. You can read about what we have been doing below. A full account of the issues identified and suggestions being taken forward may be found in the Autumn issue of the Beech Newsletter.

For further information about the activity of any of these groups, please contact Stella Charman on 563046 or by e-mail.

Housing and Development

This is the area in which the proposed new arrangements, which will replace existing planning guidelines, will have the greatest effect. Changes are being extensively debated nationally, and exactly what will emerge is uncertain, so we are now waiting until the New Year to progress our local proposals.

However, we do know from the questionnaires that most of you are happy and content with life in Beech, love its peace and quiet with access to the countryside combined with the proximity to Alton and other local towns. You have said that you consider it essential to keep a countryside gap between Beech and Alton, and that you want to maintain and enhance the character and identity of the Village.

Views on whether there should be more or less development were diverse, with some support expressed for mixed and/or affordable housing and sustainable development for starter homes and downsizers.

Roads

A considerable amount of work has been done by Bryan Harrison and his group which he wants to take forward in some public meetings over the next couple of months.

Provisional policies for action are being developed in relation to road surfacing and drainage, speeding and traffic calming, a potential footpath from the Abbey to the A339, new entrances to the Village, street lighting and public transport.

If you are interested in being involved in these ongoing discussions, please click here to view a letter from Bryan and the full working document.

Rural Environment

This topic may also be affected by the new National Framework which is primarily concerned with the use and development of land. We know from the questionnaires that you are concerned about protecting local woodland, maintain our flora and fauna and ensure access to the countryside. However, there are issues about horse and deer warning signs, dog fouling and fly-tipping and the maintenance of verges and hedges.

So the group is working with the Forestry Commission and developing proposals to address these which will be publicised in the New Year.

Social and Community Life

This is a topic which we can progress independently of new national planning arrangements. Following the Open Morning on 22nd October, ideas and suggestions about new activities will be publicised in the January 2012 edition of the Newsletter, with contact numbers for those interested in signing up.

The Village Hall also needs more people to help run it and the programme of social events, and in particular to fill the roles of Secretary to the Trustees and Kitchen Manager.

We know from the questionnaires that many of you believe that there are not enough facilities for children and young people in Beech, and there is support for a play area to be established on Village Hall land.  We will be consulting further on this proposal.

Telecommunications & Broadband

This is also an area we can get on with, and the topic group led by Gordon Sharp has been active in its efforts to improve internet access, mobile phone coverage and TV reception in Beech. The group has made Hampshire County Council, which  has resources for broadband development, aware of our need for investment. It has also been in contact with BT Open Reach, and is exploring with mobile phone providers the possibility of installing a disguised phone mast, perhaps on the Recreation Ground, with the consent of the Village Hall Trustees.

Gordon Sharp is already in e-mail contact with many of you who are concerned about this but would welcome comments from others.

For further information about the activity of any of these groups, please contact Stella Charman on 563046 or by e-mail.