Kingsclere Neighbourhood Plan and Porch Farm Update

Kingsclere Neighbourhood Plan and Porch Farm Update

In October Kingsclere Parish Council advised residents that Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council had commenced a revision of their borough-wide Local Plan which would incorporate an increased housing requirement imposed by central Government.

To date, the revised Local Plan has yet to be issued for public consultation, but the Parish Council has been in contact with the Borough Council over the indicated allocation of 175 additional homes for Kingsclere. Percentagewise, this is the third highest increase for a rural settlement within the Borough. The Parish Council believes this is disproportionate and will be taking steps to get this number reduced.

In the meantime, Vestry Group, who wish to develop Porch Farm (opposite the Shell garage), have been in discussions with the Local Planning Department at B&DBC and have recently presented to the Parish Council’s Planning Panel.

The Parish Council is of the opinion that development at Porch Farm is premature as the revised Local Plan and our subsequently revised Neighbourhood Plan have yet to be consulted on and agreed.

Nevertheless, the developers are keen to press ahead so residents can expect a consultation organised by the developers within the next few months.

The Parish Council urges all residents to keep up to date with the information published by B&DBC and on the Parish Council's media, and please participate in the consultations when they occur.