Community Plans
A community plan:
- identifies local problems and opportunities
- sets out an achievable and long term vision for the future
- prepares a plan of action to achieve this vision
To prepare a plan the views of all of the community must be gathered through survey, research and community participation. A plan can include everything that is relevant to the people who live and work in the community, from employment needs to playgrounds. They can include any social, environmental or economic issues. It is up to the community to decide what is important to them. No one else can set the agenda or determine priorities for action on behalf of the community.
Watch the short film below to find out more about community planning in Hampshire.
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Why do a community plan?
A community plan:
- Provides detailed information on the issues of importance to the local community
- Gives everyone the opportunity to have their say.
- Helps people to become move involved in what goes on around them.
- Gives the statutory authorities, including the Council, vital information about the needs and views of a community.
- Helps individuals and organisations be prepared for questions or issues which arise about changes or threats to local services and activities.
- Provides useful information when applying for funding for projects.
- Provides a vision of the community in the future, and a defined plan of action to show how this will be achieved.
Watch the short film below to find out what community planning has achieved for some communities in Hampshire.
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Parish Profiles
An important early stage in the community plan process that community and parish planning groups will need to undertake is the development of a ‘Community or Parish Profile’. Profiles not only give you the detail information of how a community is made up, but will also prove an invaluable source of information regarding where to go to engage with your community during the consultation stages of developing a plan.
Some information is readily available to you:
- WCC Public View is our interactive mapping service that provides access to a wide range of information about services and facilities in this local area and nearest to your location.
- Census data released by the Office of National Statistics can be found here
- Winchester City Council has commissioned Winchester Action on Climate Crisis (WinACC) and the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to produce Carbon Footprint reports for the parishes and Town wards which can be found here
- Newlands Parish Council was established in 2019 and have recently produced their own parish profile. You can view this here
- Profiles were also produced for each of the larger settlements in the Winchester District, along with various other information for Local Plan Part 2:
Some further information was produced as supporting evidence for the Local Plan 2038 covering topics such as Economy, Housing and Recreation & Leisure:
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Completed Plans
The following communities in the Winchester District have completed a Community Plan.
Click on the link in the 'Plan' column to view the Plan.Winchester City
CommunityAchievements to dateVision for Winchester www.onegreatwin.com Highcliffe
Community Plan 2016
- Consultation on parking restrictions was carried out in October 2018
- Community Fun & Safety Event held Oct 2019
St Barnabas & Harestock
Community Plan 2013
Action Plan 2013
Stanmore
Community Action Plan (pdf, 8.8mb) 2010
- Pilot Enhanced Neighbourhood Management approach
- New parking restrictions introduced in Lower Stanmore
- Welcome visits to new students and welcome packs issued
- New student accommodation provided on campus
- Youth shelter and skate park lighting
- Community newsletter established
- School Travel Plan completed
- Incentives for students and University staff to use Park & Ride
- Improved footway link from Airlie Corner to St James Lane
- Improvements to Princes Place allotments
Winnall
Community Plan 2012
- Improvements to the M3 junction 9 with the A34
- 20mph speed limit introduced
- Improved street lighting
- Traffic calming
- New allotments at Firmstone Road
- Outdoor gym
- Winnall Community Association website
- VISA project to support older people
- Increased programme of community events and activities
- 'Love where you live' events and additional litter/dog bins
- 'Warm Up Winnall' campaign
- 'Moviemania' film screening
Winchester District
CommunityAchievements to dateBishops Waltham
Forward Plan 2019-2023 (pdf, 886kb)
Town Health Check 2010
- North Pond taken into community ownership
- New play areas at Priory Park and Jubilee Hall
- Improvements to bus shelters, road signs and seating
- Quality Parish Council status achieved
- Increased programme of community events
- Village Agent service established
- "Cycle Bishop’s Waltham” leaflet produced in conjunction with SDNP
- Resurfaced pathway from Corhampton Road to Free Street
- Sports pavilions improved at Prioriy Park and Hoe Road
- New pre-school at Hoe Road
- Additional B&B accommodation
- Lengthsman employed
- Additional trees and wild flower beds planted
- Annual “Clean up BW” event
Chilcomb
Parish Plan 2013
- Faster broadband provided by Gigabeam
- Reduced weekend usage of the range by the MOD
- Regular sweeping of the roads and maintenance of verges by local farmers
Colden Common
Common Voices (pdf, 1.4mb) (Parish Plan 2023)
Compton & Shawford
Parish Plan 2008
- Quieter surfacing on M3
- Parking restrictions to reduce commuter parking near Shawford Station
- Village Design Statement produced
- Map of local footpaths and Rights of Way
- Footpath repairs
- New Parish website
Denmead Neighbourhood Plan (pdf, 2.7mb) 2011-2036
- New trees planted on various roundabouts
- Planters installed at the Village Centre
- Town Centre Manager employed
- Community events in the Village Centre - Chicken Run at Easter, Summer Party, Apple Festival and Christmas Fayre
- Play area at Carpenters Field
Droxford
Parish Plan 2015
- Droxford Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan
- Improved access and parking at the recreation ground
- Additional funding for the Lengthsman to improve footpath maintenance
- Litter picking sessions established
- Enhancement of community bus service
- Renovation of Pavilion completed
- Additional play equipment installed at the recreation ground
Durley
Parish Plan (pdf, 1.5mb) 2015
- Two major flooding areas have been improved by HCC
- Improved broadband speed
- Good Neighbours Group established
- Regular village litter picks
- Review of signage and a number of signs recommended for removal
- New village website
- Speed Indicator Sign which is moved around the village to various locations agreed with HCC Highways.
Hambledon
Parish Plan 2012
- New Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator in place
- Pavement repairs as part of the “big pipe” engineering works
Hursley
Parish Plan 2020
• Preserve the current historic and rural "character" of the Parish, and in particular
ensure that no large scale development is imposed.
• Reduce the incidence and potential consequences of excessive speed on certain Parish roads with particular focus on reducing the risk of accidents and injury
• Ensure that parking in Hursley village does not adversely affect safety or amenity of
pedestrians, road users or residents.
• Protect and improve the use of key Parish amenities and build on a sense of
community, in particular to reduce any sense of isolationItchen Valley
Parish Plan 2014
- Improved broadband speeds in Itchen Abbas
Kilmeston
Parish Plan 2021
Kings Worthy
Parish Plan 2012
- Frequency of buses increased
- Additional parking provided at Tesco
- Communications Group established
- Parish Council established outdoor surgeries
New Alresford
Town Health Check 2008
Action Plan (pdf, 347kb) 2008
- New car park and footpath link to town
- Additional parking provided at The Dean
- Thursday Farmers Market, managed by The Town Trust
New Alresford
Town Plan 2005 - SUPERSEDED by above
- Provision of skateboarding facilities
- £110,000 secured for provision of additional public parking on Perins School site
- Town Design Statement adopted
Northington
Parish Plan 2013
- Improved broadband
- Planning decisions in favour of a historical approach to The Grange
- Disused former woodmill converted for commercial use as an engineer’s depot
Olivers Battery
Parish Plan 2018
- Parking restrictions introduced in Summer 2018
- Cycle racks installed at Recreation ground in May 2019
Otterbourne
Parish Plan 2004
- Quieter surfacing on M3
- New road surfacing, crossings and improved signage
- Parish Lengthsman appointed
- Chuch Room facilities improved
- Improved street lighting
- Village Design Statement produced
- Neighbourhood Watch established across the parish
- Parish website created
- Youth shelter and other facilities installed
- Improved bus services into Winchester and Southampton
- Community May Day event established
- Welcome pack for new residents
- Map of local footpaths
- Additional glass recycling provided
Owslebury and Morestead
Parish Plan 2014
- Ship Inn designated as a community asset and retained as a pub
- Merger of the cricket and football clubs
- Agreement with some colleges for over 16s to use school bus services
- Additional gates and benches at open spaces and play areas
- Email information service including more than 50% of homes
Shedfield
Village Design Statement and Parish Plan (pdf, 2.1mb) 2016
- Work with the Police though the PACT group
- Campaign to improve ditch maintainance
- Speedwatch group set up and active
- New Speed & Road signs set up
- Community Support Officer employed in parish
Soberton
Parish Plan (pdf, 1mb) 2011
- Improved broadband speeds in Soberton Heath
- Employed a Community Safety Officer
- Affordable Housing scheme completed (2018)
- Improved Broadband speed in the wider parish (2020)
South Wonston
Village Plan 2014
- Village Design Statement produced
- Village website
- Countryside access board at the Village Stores
- Improved catering facilities at Village Hall
- Arts and crafts activity sessions
- New Pavilion built (2016)
- Fibre broadband installed
Sparsholt
Parish Plan 2017
- Faster Broadband for the parish
- Village Clean-up biannually
Swanmore
Forward Plan (pdf, 4.2mb) 2019-2023
Village Plan 2011
- HCC funding secured to improve dropped kerbs and road markings
- Speed limit reminder installed on Gravel Hill
- Parking restrictions in the village centre enhanced to stop irresponsible and dangerous parking
- Parish Council has appointed an Accredited Community Support Officer (ACSO)
Upham
Parish Plan 2014
- Lower Upham Stores registered as a community asset
- Outreach Post Office service established at the Alma Inn
- Campaign for super fast broadband programme to cover Upham
- Not suitable for heavy vehicle signs have been erected at all village entry points
West Meon
Parish Plan (pdf, 6.1mb) 2007
Action Plan update 2010
- Scheme of 10 affordable homes for local people
- Village 'Best Parking Practice' published
- Traffic calming measures introduced
- Internet cafe established
- Neighbourhood Watch re-established
- Additional dog bins
- Improved signs and boards on A32 to promote West Meon
Whiteley
Parish Plan 2009
- New temporary primary school opened
- New shopping centre opened, with post office and community facilities
- Opening of Yew Tree Drive to through traffic
- Youth Club opened at Whiteley Community Centre
- Establishment of the Meadowside Music Festival and Whestival
Whiteley
Parish Plan (pdf, 1.1mb) 2004 - SUPERSEDED by above
- Skate park and tennis courts created
- CCTV installed for Meadowside and skate park
- Pedestrian crossing at Marjoram roundabout
- Dentist practice established
Wickham
Parish Plan 2019- Speed controls and enforcement on the main A roads and in Wickham Square implemented
- Reinstatement and resilience work in Wickham Water Meadows completed in 2022
- Further 450 trees were planted in 2020/21 in the area
- The Coop in Wickham Square now accepts soft plastics for recycling
- Four electric charging points installed in Wickham in 2021
Wickham
Parish Plan (pdf, 4.4mb) 2013
- Extension of Wickham Station car park
- Daily taxishare service to the Queen Alexandra Hospital and Cosham
- Village Agent project to assist older people
- Chamber of Trade established
- Knowle Community Hall and Sports Association took on management of the Village Hall
Wickham
Parish Plan 2004 - SUPERSEDED by above
- New village hall at Knowle
- Mobile NHS Dentist service established - NOW STOPPED OPERATING
- Traffic calming schemes in Titchfield Lane and School Road
- Improvement to Community Centre play area
- Youth portakabin provided at the Community Centre
- Bottle banks provided
- Village Agent service established
Wonston
Parish Plan 2015
- New affordable homes in Sutton Scotney at Station Yard and more planned at Beggars Drove
- New car park, walkway, seating and fitness equipment at The Gratton
- Signage and dog bags at The Gratton to rediuce dog fouling
- Car sharers allowed to park at the car park on The Gratton
- New Affordable Homes at Harding Close, Sutton Scotney
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How we can help?
There are a range of ways in which the Council, and other agencies, can support and help you to develop your community plan. These include:
- General support and guidance through the process
- Financial assistance to develop your Community Plan and grants to implement your projects
- Provision of statistics and information on your area
- Advice on designing questionnaires and surveys
- Printing of surveys, questionnaires and finished plans (at a subsidised cost)
- Assistance with a housing needs assessment
- Finding and retaining volunteers
There are some key documents that we can supply you with and which form a package to support and guide you through the community planning process:
- ACRE Community Led Planning Toolkit
- AMT Town Action Planning Handbook
- Other guidance is available that relates to specific issues. Click on the topic below for more details:
Infrastructure
Environment
Community involvement
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Parish Plans, Village Design Statements and Neighbourhood Plans?
A Parish Plan provides information about a variety of needs concerning well being and social activity of the local population, which incorporates all aspects of life and can include the physical needs of an area.
A Village Design Statement (VDS) only focuses on the physical (spatial) aspects of the community e.g. housing, hedges, lighting, signage. It sets out guidelines on the character of the area and ensures that future changes are in keeping. A VDS can be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance and will then be used as evidence when consideration is given to future planning applications in the area.
A Neighbourhood Plan allocates land for development. It is intended to set out where new houses, businesses, shops and community facilities should go in the local area and will allocate smaller sites for development. It may also include more detailed planning policies, for example to define how new development should look. Neighbourhood Plans were brought into being under the Localism Act which came in to force in November 2011.
How much power will community plans have?
There is no formal power that a community plan has to influence decision-making. However, the Localism Act sets out an expectation that the views and opinions of local people will have greater influence over the delivery of services in their area. At the local level, the Winchester Community Planning Protocol makes a commitment that all service providers are expected to consider the findings and recommendations contained within a community plan and respond to the community with regard to the likely timescale for them being implemented or the reasons why no action will be taken.
There can be a lot of confusion over cross-border matters, where issues affect communities across borders between Winchester and other neighbouring districts. How do we ensure that our concerns are heard by all of the appropriate people?
Winchester City Council can liaise with neighbouring local authorities, ensuring that our neighbour organisations hear the local concerns and that solutions to the concerns identified are developed in a joined-up manner. It is also important that communities consider the impact of their own recommendations on neighbouring communities when developing a plan.
I have heard about community 'clusters', where parishes group together to make a community plan. What about the differences that exist across parishes and how do we deal with the conflicts which arise if we're meant to be working in these groupings?
Grouping together with neighbouring parishes is a good idea, especially if you live in a small community and need more support to develop a community plan. By working together people can identify common priorities upon which they can agree and speak with greater numbers, which can have a bigger impact on policy development and service provision. If there are occasions when parishes disagree on priorities, then the plan can reflect the different issues that affect each community and highlight the issues of greatest concern to each.
My parish has identified a number of specific issues through our consultation. How do we get these addressed?
We can put you in touch with the right organisastions and specialist people to help deal with the issues.
What is Community Planning?
Community Planning - What's in it for me?