Neighbourhood Plan

Community Referendum
Neighbourhood Plans were introduced by the 2011 Localism Act. They give local communities the power to shape future development in their locality, by allowing residents, employees and business to come together through a local parish council and say where they think new houses, businesses and shops should go - and what they should look like.
​If our NP passes these national and local planning policy tests, the local community will be able to vote on it in a referendum. With majority approval, the Neighbourhood Plan comes into force as part of the statutory development plan for Waverley.

Planning Policies

Community-led

Our Neighbourhood Plan (NP) must be community-led and evidence-based.
​
The process of drawing up the NP must involve the local community and reflect the community's needs and wishes for the future. Proportionate, robust evidence should support the choices made in the NP and the approach taken.
​A Neighbourhood Plan, once made, will form part of the statutory local development plan for the area and its policies will be used to determine development proposals in the neighbourhood. Planning applications will be determined in accordance with the the Plan's policies unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

In line with national and local planning policy

Our Neighbourhood Plan must be in line with national planning policy and with the strategic vision for planning set by the local planning authority - in our case Waverley Borough Council.

Waverley BC's final Local Plan for 2013 - 2031 has been submitted for examination, and is not yet in place. Under national planning policies there is an overarching presumption in favour of sustainable development.

Maps

Settlement Built Up Area Boundary (BUAB)

Vision and Objectives

Vision
Picture
The Parish of Ewhurst and Ellen’s Green will accommodate necessary change that retains and improves its rich
biodiversity and rural environment and which sustains its community - its people, its facilities and its heritage.

In 2030, the Parish will still be predominantly rural and undeveloped providing an attractive countryside setting for the village of Ewhurst (including Ewhurst Green), the hamlet of Ellen’s Green and the scattering of mainly historic rural development.
​
Ewhurst village will be the focus of a strong, vibrant, healthy and self-sustaining community, and the main location for
managed, sustainable development, growth and change. The historic and cultural heritage of the Parish, in both the
countryside and the settlements will be retained and improved.
​Objectives
​
Objectives for Housing

A. To make provision for the development of sufficient new housing to (i) meet primarily the locally
generated need for additional houses, including the needs of those who work in the area and (ii) fulfil the
requirements of the Local Development Plan.

B. To allow for a mix of new housing provision which is weighted towards providing for identified local
needs in terms of (i) the size, type and affordability of new housing and (ii) housing specifically suitable for the
elderly and those with special housing needs.
Objective for the Settlements

A. To maintain the separate identify and physical separation of Ewhurst (including Ewhurst Green) and Ellen’s Green and to limit and avoid development which would encroach upon the separation between those settlements and settlements and developments beyond the parish boundary.

3. Objectives for the Built Environment

A. To maintain and enhance the character, built environment and heritage of Ewhurst (including Ewhurst
Green) and Ellen’s Green and to maintain and enhance the merit and value of any historic and heritage built
development and sites outside the boundaries of those settlements.

4. Objectives for the Countryside and Natural Environment

A. To seek to maintain for its own right, the character and quality