EAST HAMPSHIRE residents are being urged to help update a plan that will touch the lives of people across large parts of the district.

An East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) plan that sets out houses, employment sites and infrastructure outside the South Downs National Park is to be reviewed – and residents will have the chance to have their say.

Areas inside the park – more than half of East Hampshire – will be covered by a separate plan being drawn up by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA).

The council’s existing local plan – the Joint Core Strategy created with the SDNPA – shows how many homes will be built, where they will go and what infrastructure should be provided to support it.

However new government planning rules say all local plans must be reviewed every five years, meaning EHDC’s current local plan will be out of date by the middle of 2019.

As a result work is already under way to gather evidence on the future need for homes, community facilities, pitches for gypsies and travellers, plots for travelling showpeople, employment sites and more. The council says it will consult local people as it draws the plan together.

EHDC Portfolio Holder for Planning Cllr Angela Glass said: “Whether you’re trying to get on the housing ladder, looking for a job close to home, or use local shops, schools and roads – the local plan will affect you and your quality of life.

“It only covers East Hampshire areas outside the South Downs National Park where we want to create sustainable towns and villages with the right blend of homes, jobs and facilities to match the needs of the community.

“To do this we need a plan which incorporates our residents’ local knowledge, concerns and understanding so we can plan successful, better-connected, sustainable communities.

“That’s why it’s so important that people join in with discussions and consultations about the Local Plan and have their say.”

Public discussions are being planned throughout 2018 on key parts of the local plan including infrastructure, housing, the environment and employment. A draft plan should be ready for consultation by the end of year.

Revising the local plan will also mean that existing and developing Neighbourhood Plans may have to change to align with new guidelines, which could mean more work and more engagement with those local communities.

Town and parish councillors and neighbourhood planning groups have been briefed on the issue this week.

Work will also be carried out on a community facility audit to catalogue the village halls, pubs and other facilities communities currently use or may need.

An open space sport and recreation study will establish the current sports provision in the part of the district outside the national park and what will be needed in future.

The council is also required to provide a certain number of pitches for gypsies and travellers and plots for travelling showpeople to meet needs. The location and number of these will be identified in the revised Local Plan after consultations on proposed sites.

More information about how residents can get involved will come forward as the process continues.