Why We Need the New Local Plan

Fareham Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan to guide how the borough develops over the coming years.

Local Plans are required by Government and must be kept up to date to reflect changes in national planning policy, legislation, local circumstances and future development needs. Since Fareham's current planning framework was prepared, the Government has introduced significant changes to the planning system, including revised requirements for housing delivery, plan-making and sustainable development. The Council must therefore prepare a new Local Plan to ensure it has an up-to-date planning framework that reflects both national requirements and local priorities.

The new Local Plan will provide a clear vision for the borough and set out how Fareham can grow and change in a planned and sustainable way. It will help ensure that new homes, jobs, services, infrastructure and community facilities are delivered in the right places and at the right time, while protecting the borough's valued environment and character.

Without an up-to-date Local Plan, the Council would have less influence over where development takes place and how it is designed, potentially making it more difficult to secure the best outcomes for local communities.

The preparation of the Local Plan will be supported by a range of consultation materials, including a Baseline Information Report which will  be available in due course to explain Fareham's key characteristics, opportunities and challenges, and a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which provide further information about the Local Plan process, why a new Plan is needed, and how you can get involved.

We encourage everyone with an interest in Fareham's future to review these documents and take part in the consultation process to help shape the borough's long-term vision and development.