AFTER nearly two years of hard work and careful consultation, the Liss Neighbourhood Plan is now ready to be submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority.

The plan identifies five preferred sites for 150 homes on greenfield sites, to be built over the next 12 years.

These sites are reasonably close to the village centre, and at least 40 per cent is to be affordable housing.

The steering group, which has put together the plan, recognises the need for younger families, single people and those wishing to downsize in the village, to be able to buy in Liss.

The layout and design of new homes is clearly spelled out in the development briefs for the five sites.

Liss Parish Council will discuss the plan at a meeting on Monday, November 21, and the plan will then be forwarded to the national park authority for consideration.

Early next year, there will be an independent examination of the plan and this should be followed by a referendum in the village around Easter time.

If 50 per cent of those who vote approve the plan, it will be legally binding on developers to abide by the policies and development briefs in the plan.

Steering group chairman Sir John Dunt said: “I am extremely grateful to all who have contributed to production of the neighbourhood plan.

“It reflects very well on the close interest people have in the future of their village, not just with regard to new housing, but also the environment, village infrastructure and facilities, traffic issues, businesses and sports grounds.

“I hope we can proceed through to a referendum early next year which produces the right, positive, outcome.”

The plan can be viewed at: www.lissnp.org.uk