Key Policies within the Old Basing Neighbourhood Plan Review

Neighbourhood Plan Review – What’s being proposed

The Old Basing & Lychpit Neighbourhood Plan was agreed by the community in 2018. This consultation is about a review and update of that plan, to ensure it remains relevant and reflects current local priorities and planning requirements.

Draft plan – January 2026 Plan review (update) No new site allocations proposed

Why is the plan being reviewed?

To keep the Neighbourhood Plan up to date.
To reflect changes in national and local planning policy.
To respond to growth taking place in and around the parish, including transport and infrastructure impacts.
To strengthen protection for green spaces and the River Loddon.
To ensure new development respects the character of Old Basing and Lychpit.

What is changing?

Planning policies have been updated and clarified where needed.
A new Design Code has been introduced to guide the layout, scale and appearance of new development and to help ensure it reflects local character.
The plan continues to focus on managing development within the existing planning framework.

What topics do the updated policies cover?

Where development is supported	Directing development to appropriate locations and providing clarity about how land outside built-up areas is treated.
Nature and the River Loddon	Protecting wildlife, green corridors, the river and its floodplain, while supporting well-designed proposals.
Keeping settlements distinct	Managing development so that the separate identity of Old Basing, Lychpit and neighbouring areas is maintained.
Important local views	Taking account of views that are valued by the community when considering development proposals.
Local green spaces	Recognising and protecting green spaces that are important to local people.
Historic places	Conserving historic buildings, sites and their settings while allowing sensitive change.
Design and appearance	Using the new Design Code to help ensure development is well designed and reflects the character of the area.
Types of homes	Encouraging a mix of homes that reflects local needs and changing household sizes.
Walking, cycling and travel	Supporting safe and convenient routes for walking, cycling and everyday journeys.
Developer contributions	Securing appropriate contributions to local facilities and infrastructure where development takes place.

What this means for you: When made, the reviewed Neighbourhood Plan will be used when planning applications are decided. This consultation is your opportunity to comment on the proposed updates before the review of the Neighbourhood Plan is finalised.