THE team behind the Whitchurch Neighbourhood Plan were warmly praised as the document was approved at a full council meeting last week.

The adoption of the plan was unanimously agreed at a Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) full council meeting on Thursday, 26 October.

The plan, which now be formally enshrined, will affect how planning applications in Whitchurch are viewed and analysed from now on.

At the full council meeting, BDBC Councillor Mark Ruffell, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, said: “There are a number of neighbourhood plans that we see, but this one is truly well done, and the design and the team behind it need to be congratulated.

“The people of Whitchurch have embraced the plan and found sites that the community will adopt.

“It is a testimony to the strength of the plan how many people who voted for it to go ahead.

“From the borough’s perspective, it is a thoroughly well-done plan.”

The residents of Whitchurch gave their stamp of approval on September 14 of this year, when 92.71 per cent of the 1,096 residents who voted, opted to approve the plan in a referendum.

The question asked at the referendum was: “Do you want Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Whitchurch to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

At the meeting, Cllr Chloe Ashfield, ward councillor for Whitchurch, said: “The people behind the plan are to be thanked for all their effort, and the people of Whitchurch for getting behind the plan.

“I hope you can join me in supporting this plan.”

Cllr John Izett, BDBC cabinet member for property and development, at the meeting added: “The nature of the plan shows the diligent and intelligent effort of the volunteers who helped to put the plan together, and the community spirit shown in the embracing of the plan by Whitchurch residents.

“Praise should also be given to Whitchurch mayor councillor John Buckley for his support throughout the process.

“This proves that communities can accept controlled, sustainable growth, and what the community thinks has been listened to.”