Planning Strategy

Introduction

Planning is an emotional subject in a semi-rural environment such as Hurst.  The role of the Society is not to be an expert on planning, but to give full support to those objecting to inappropriate development

The Society’s remit is to help “preserve the village’s rural character” and it will oppose planning applications in the green spaces of Hurst, that threaten that character

The Society will not get directly involved outside this remit.  However, for borderline cases outside the Society’s remit, the Committee will consider supporting villagers by passing an agreed summary of their views to the membership e-mail list

Action on Planning

For each significant planning application in Hurst, which could be thought to adversely affect the rural nature of the village, the Society will solicit views from the Society’s members and the broader Hurst community, both for and against

If, after taking villagers’ comments into account, a decision is taken to oppose an application, the Planning Group will:

  • Make representations to the Planning Authority and liaise with the Parish Council. where appropriate
  • Encouraging members to make their own representations 
  • Provide access to members by groups who oppose the application , so that members are given detailed arguments to use in their submissions. Where appropriate, the Planning Group may appoint an advisory group to achieve what is necessary to oppose an application
  • Where necessary, support members and others in the community to raise funds to fight the application

Notes

  • All villagers and interested parties are strongly encouraged to support or object to a planning application directly to the Planning Authority. Each individual’s representations to the Planning Authorities carry almost as much wait as those of the Society; the sheer number of people who object is vital
  • Committee members must declare any conflict of interest and are excluded from all relevant discussions and decisions on the Society’s behalf where such conflicts exist, although they remain free to comment as individuals
  • Owners of land with development potential will not be permitted to serve on the Planning Group, but can make representations to the Group in favour of a development
  • The Society aims to provide a reference place on its website for people to see all planning applications in the village