Referendum appeal

RESIDENTS are being urged to vote in the referendum on the Henley and Harpsden neighbourhood plan next week.

The revised document plan earmarks eight sites for new homes and includes new policies requiring developments to meet climate and biodiversity requirements.

The referendum will take place on Thursday and the plan will be deemed to have been approved on a simple majority.

Laurence Plant, vice-chairman of the town council’s neighbourhood plan working group, said: “It’s important that people vote. It’s the future of the town in regard to planning, development and rules and it’s a layer of protection. The
result will affect all of us in some respect and not voting would be a real shame.

“Even if people don’t know what it is, read a brief, have a look at it or get someone to explain more about it to you because it’s important.”

The revised plan was compiled by a working group made up of councillors and members of the public.

Councillor Ken Arlett, who chairs the working group, said: “The plan gives our communities the opportunity to decide the location of key housing developments, of which 40 per cent being built will be affordable.

“The plan has been developed by volunteers — all local residents — and Henley and Harpsden councillors, guided by input from the wider community through extensive consultation.

“The referendum is important for the people of Henley and Harpsden and I strongly encourage all residents to use their vote.”

In order to vote, you must live in the referendum area and be registered to vote in local elections.

Polling stations will be located at Henley town hall, Henley leisure centre in Gillotts Lane, the Christ Church Centre in Reading Road, the parish hall in Vicarage Road and Harpsden village hall.

The document earmarks eight sites in Henley for 377 new homes, including 110 at Highlands Farm, the Crest Nicholson development off Greys Road, and 72 west of Fair Mile.

Other allocations include 50 dwellings on the Gillotts School playing fields and 23 new homes on the old Henley Youth Centre in Deanfield Avenue.

Also included are the former Chilterns End care home (27) and the Chiltern Centre (3), both off Greys Road, the Stuart Turner premises and neighbouring Henley Enterprise Park, off Greys Road (42 plus at least 3,000 sq ft of employment and retail space) and the town council’s land next to Tesco, off Reading Road (50).

The plan’s objectives include keeping Henley and Harpsden as separate as possible, prioritising the redevelopment of brownfield sites and delivering an appropriate range and mix of housing.

Priority projects identified in the document include the Henley Car Club, which was launched last year with two Toyota Yaris hybrids which can be hired by residents.