PLEASE respond to what’s proposed in the Haslemere Neighbourhood Plan – that was the key message as the final public consultation on the ‘blueprint’ for future development was launched.

The consultation will run until April 27 and the definitive plan will be shaped by responses to the consultation.

If more than 50 per cent of residents of Haslemere, Shottermill, Critchmere, Beacon Hill, Hindhead and Grayswood support it in a public referendum, the document will be used as a key planning tool when deciding what’s built.

To flag up the importance of the town blueprint, Haslemere Town Council in partnership with localism group Haslemere Vision, have produced eye-catching banners and delivered summaries of the neighbourhood plan to every address.

Volunteers from the two groups will be on hand to answer any questions at the first drop-in event, which is at the town hall on Saturday from 11am to 3pm.

A grand total of 990 new homes is the housing target for Haslemere up to 2032 in Waverley Borough Council’s Local Plan.

As from January this year, planning consent has been given for 550 of the total needed, but a main concern is whether the permissions granted will be delivered by the applicants. in the time frame required.

The hope in the town is that future development can be accommodated within the town to avoid building in the countryside.

The neighbourhood plan states it does not foresee a need for any house building outside the new settlement boundary during that time “as long as sites proposed within the boundary come to fruition and are built at sufficient densities”.

It proposes building “at sufficient densities” to minimise the need to develop surrounding green spaces, perhaps by building up to four storeys in central areas.

For more information visit: www.haslemeretc.org/neigh bourhood-plan