A News update from VOW – May 2024
We haven’t seen or heard much recently about Obsidian’s proposal to concrete over 80 acres of Lodge Farm. We do know, however, that Obsidian has been seeking a meeting with Hart Planners, presumably to investigate the way ahead. That strongly suggests that the threat to Hart and its neighbouring districts has not gone away.
Since the first publication on Hart’s Planning website of a Scoping Study in 2022 there have been two Pre-Applications, both in 2023. All three of these approaches, by Obsidian, were aimed at seeking Hart’s advice on what was acceptable (or otherwise) in terms of planning policy and procedures. We are currently awaiting news of a what the next submission to Hart by Obsidian will be.
When can you take action? The formal planning process begins with receipt by Hart Planners of an Outline or Full Application from the developer. This then has to go through a period of “validation”, during which Hart makes sure that all the supplied documentation is present and correct. For a small Application that might take as little as a couple of weeks, but for a large and complex Application it could be 16 weeks or more.
Only when validation is complete will the Application appear on HDC’s website and comments requested from interested parties. The “normal” time allowed for comment is 21 days.
During the current hiatus VOW has not been idle. We have briefed nearly every parish and town council in the area – all 26 of them- and held two Public Meetings, one in Odiham and one in Hook. A third is planned for Hartley Wintney on the evening of Tuesday 25th June. Details of that meeting will appear on VOW’s website in early June.
Keep an eye on the two key websites for further announcements: