An important impetus for the founding of the Society was to make representations on planning issues, both on planning applications and on strategic planning issues such as the Local Plan. The Society’s planning committee normally meets once a month to consider those applications in the parish which meet criteria set by the committee, in line with the Society’s objectives. These concentrate on planning activity within the parish’s three Conservation Areas, including tree applications, as well as on all proposals affecting the landscape setting of Odiham and those for additional housing anywhere in the parish.

LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS

In 2017, OdSoc revived its Planning Sub-Committee. Current members are Derek Begent*, Sue Bennett, Helen Fleming*, John Fleming*, Chris Griffin*, and Philip Riley* (*also member of the Odiham Society Executive Committee.) The committee aims to meet every month just before the Executive Committee meeting. We scrutinise all relevant applications – for more please see below – and agree comments. 

The Executive Committee has granted delegated authority to the Planning Committee to make those comments. This relieves those members of the Executive Committee whose focus lies elsewhere, though a brief update is given at each meeting on the outcome of the Planning Sub-Committee meeting.

The Sub-Committee benefits from the work of the previous Sub-Committee in defining guidelines as to when the Odiham Society should comment, in line with the Society’s objectives. These guidelines have needed slight modification to encompass the policies of the Neighbourhood Plan. The committee reviews the criteria from time to time in the light of experience, and we welcome comments from members.

Please do contact us on any matter which concerns you – our email address is planning@odiham-society.org. Our normal meeting day is the Monday before the first Thursday of the month.

Power lies with Hart District Council and members should make their views known by commenting on applications and by contacting the three district councillors. Odiham Parish Council is a statutory consultee and members should make democracy work through their elected parish councillors.