Building a Better Future 2025

The Building a Better Future Plan - otherwise known as the Local Plan - sets out how the council will decide, manage and shape development in our borough and includes proposed sites for allocation where development could take place. Following on from consultation held in 2022, this is your chance to shape and influence the final Plan. 

The consultation is now closed

What is a Local Plan?

A Local Plan sets out where new development should take place, where it should not and what infrastructure and environmental safeguards are needed.

Each and every local authority in England has a multitude of obligations and duties set by government. New development is no exception, with government policies, guidance and legal requirements providing a strong steer.

The ability of a local authority to meet short term development supply for housing is strictly measured, with each local authority required to produce a Local Plan – a long-term strategy which identifies local needs and requirements. A Local Plan:

• Through policies and guidance addresses recognised local needs to help secure relevant housing and commercial development
• Looks at what safeguards need to be put in place to protect the environment and make sure that the necessary infrastructure is in place
• Carries considerable weight in informing local planning decisions, as the final document is validated by the Secretary of State

Havant Borough Council is no exception in this requirement and is currently running a consultation to capture residents’ thoughts, comments and ideas on a proposed Local Plan for the borough. 

You can view the full draft Local Plan by clicking here, downloading the below documents or using the tiles on the right side of this page to find out more.

What happens if we do not have a Local Plan?

Simply put – doing nothing is not an option. Government intervention would be inevitable. Planning decisions made at a national level lack the context that decisions made locally can have, without wider understanding of local issues or wider aims for the area.

Therefore, it is critical the council engages with government and actively develops a Local Plan to limit risk of government intervention. 

How do I take part in the consultation?

The consultation for the Local Plan is now closed. We are analysing the results of this exercise over the coming months and will provide feedback on this page.

For the latest information on this project, visit www.havant.gov.uk/localplan.