Alton Town Council has agreed to undertake a full review of the town’s community-led Neighbourhood Plan housing blueprint.

The Alton Neighbourhood Plan, setting out where the community would like to see housing delivered to meet government targets, was first adopted in 2016 after a public referendum and given an ‘interim update’ in 2021.

The plan has been successful in that development has been undertaken only in specified areas as defined within it.

But to continue to carry full weight in the planning process, a full review of the town plan must be undertaken before November 2023.

An up-to-date plan also entitles Alton to receive Community Infrastructure Levy cash to invest back into the town. Since the original plan was adopted seven years ago, £473,408 has been received for use in Alton which it would have otherwise not have received.

Following a vote by councillors at the February 1 meeting, Alton Town Council will now reappoint the Neighbourhood Plan steering group to undertake the review, and consultants O’Neill Homer to support  its preparation of the plan.