People in Gosport can have their say on the borough’s new blueprint for housing, jobs, green spaces and heritage sites.

They are being invited to comment on the first draft of Gosport Borough Council’s Local Plan, which outlines how the area should develop up to the year 2038.

The draft plan sets out where new development should take place and includes policies to decide future planning applications. It also includes policies to protect the borough’s special heritage, open spaces and nature conservation areas.

The plan says development should mainly be focused on brownfield sites which have been occupied by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Justice, but which could be opened up for residents – creating new neighbourhoods and jobs. 

It proposes that most new development should be concentrated in two areas. One includes Gosport town centre, Gosport waterfront and the Haslar peninsula. The other is the Daedalus regeneration area, which includes a leisure-led development at Seaplane Square with more employment space and homes elsewhere on the site.

The plan also outlines proposals for land that may become available in the Rowner and HMS Sultan area.

Although the government says around 5,500 homes will be needed in the borough, the plan seeks to balance this with the need for economic activity, quality open spaces, infrastructure and facilities. It also seeks to safeguard the local environment. Because of these factors, and a lack of available sites, it includes plans for only 3,500 new homes.

The new housing will help meet local needs and will include a range of affordable homes for people of different ages. It will also help improve the viability of the brownfield sites, which will need investment in infrastructure and repairs.

Cllr Graham Burgess, Leader of the Council, said: “We need a local plan that reflects a wide range of local voices.

“Whether you’d like to support a policy in the plan, object to something or ask for an amendment, we’d really like to hear your views.

“This is a very important document, setting out what the borough could look like in 2038, and it’s important that we all help to get it right.”

The council’s consultation on the draft plan ends on 3 December.

Residents can go here to read the draft plan or see a summary. They can comment online and also book a slot at an exhibition staffed by planning officers.

There are unstaffed displays, including copies of the draft plan and paper response forms, at the Town Hall (Mon-Tue 9am-5 pm, Wed-Fri 10am-2pm), the Discovery Centre, Bridgemary Library, Elson Community Library and Hub, Lee Hub and Gosport Leisure Centre.

The local plan team can be contacted by email or on (023) 9254 5461. Their postal address is: Planning Policy Team, Gosport Borough Council, High Street, Gosport PO12 1EB.

Once comments are considered, the council will make amendments where necessary, then carry out a second consultation. Any unresolved issues will be considered by an independent planning inspector. The new plan will come into effect in 2023.

Source: Gosport Borough Council