Barnham’s blueprint plan given go-ahead

Barnham’s neighbourhood plan has been given the go-ahead by a government inspector.

The good news was reported at Barnham’s annual parish assembly, last week, by Maureen Chaffe, who has been leading the way in compiling the document, which sets out where development should go in the village for the next 15 years.

“The good news is that the plan has been passed by the inspector. He has made some changes, and they are set out in a 74 page report.

“But he has not made any drastic changes to our policies, which is positive. He also didn’t like the format, so that has to be changed.”

The plan provides a vision for the future of the village, and sets out clear policies and objectives to realise these visions.

Mrs Chaffe said the document did this while still promoting the uniqueness and individuality of the village and neighbouring Eastergate, which has also had its plan approved.

It has given residents the chance to have their say on future housebuilding and the type of homes needed for the villages as well as protecting spaces they see as important.

“The plan will now have to go back to Arun and they will have the final say on whether they accept the changes,” said Mrs Chaffe.

Residents will be given their chance to have a say on the neighbourhood plan when it goes to referendum.

The public will be able to go to the polls on July 2, between 7am and 10pm.

If the plan is given the thumbs-up by those living in Barnham and Eastergate, it is expected to be adopted by Arun District Council at a meeting of all their members on July 16.

Barnham Parish Council chairman David Phillips joined Mrs Chaffe in thanking volunteers who had worked tirelessly pulling the plan together.

Mrs Chaffe said: “I told the volunteers right at the start if they wanted to get the plan done they had to meet once a week for six months and they did that.”

Cllr Phillips added: “I would like to thank all of the volunteers and Maureen who, like a sheepdog, has driven them forward.”

Last month Arundel residents became the first in Sussex to approve their neighbourhood plan.