Lymington and Pennington Town Council approve consultation over draft neighbourhood plan

A SIX-week consultation over future development in Lymington has started.

Members of Lymington and Pennington Town Council were urged to try to work more closely with young people as they continue to develop the Neighbourhood Plan

The statutory document will guide planning policy and development in the town, broadly in line with the district council’s Local Plan.

Clerk Louise Young told councillors there was still time for amendments to be made to the draft document and for members of the public to have their say.

The consultation period ends at 5pm on 9th October.

A report on the Neighbourhood Plan for councillors said: “Throughout the plan period the consistent response from the community has been on the need for more first homes and smaller homes for younger people, and less retirement properties being built in Lymington. There has also been a strong demand for improved green infrastructure links, to encourage pedestrians and cyclists and to connect open spaces.

“Other areas raised include improved telecommunications, raised design standards, development on brownfield sites only, energy efficient housing and improvements to Lymington High Street and Pennington village.”

It continued: “The Neighbourhood Plan steering group believes this draft neighbourhood plan… seeks to address some of the greatest concerns raised by local residents and puts in place opportunities for further projects and plans to develop after its adoption.”

The first formal consultation over the draft Neighbourhood Plan, running for six weeks and targeted at residents, local businesses and statutory consultees, is now under way.

Ward member for Lymington Town Cllr Jacqui England told fellow members work on the document had been a “long, arduous struggle”, but worthwhile.

She added: “I would like to see if we can engage with youngsters more. We’re leaving this legacy for them and I would like to see if the council can encourage them to put what they feel forward.

“I would really appreciate that and I’m sure it will happen, but to have an assurance would be better.”

She also asked if the council would benefit from engaging with St Barbe Museum and using research it has conducted.

The clerk replied that St Barbe will be invited to contribute to the town development stage of forming the Neighbourhood Plan alongside other external stakeholders.

Pennington ward member Cllr Martina Humber praised the town clerk for her work on developing the draft Neighbourhood Plan.

“I’ve been associated with this almost from the very beginning,” she said. “I wish us lots of luck when it comes to the formal consultation.”

She also noted there will be a local referendum on the plan and asked which authority would cover the cost of running it.

Lymington ward member Cllr Alan Penson said he would have liked to have seen “a bit more in the policy dealing with key regeneration opportunities in the plan”. But he added that it was “about time” to move forward to formal consultation on the document.

Councillors voted unanimously to approve the draft Neighbourhood Plan for the purpose of carrying out the pre-submission consultation.

Residents can share their views on the plan by emailing info@lymandpentc.org.uk or writing to: Town Council Offices, Town Hall, Avenue Road, Lymington SO41 9ZG.

An online form is also available at lymingtonandpennington-tc.gov.uk/public-consultation

* This story has been amended from an earlier version to correct a quote by Cllr Penson