Ovingdean residents bid for neighbourhood planning powers

Residents of Ovingdean have submitted applications to the council for approval to create a neighbourhood area and a neighbourhood forum.

Anyone who lives or works in the area the applications cover can join the neighbourhood forum. Once designated, the forum will prepare a neighbourhood plan, setting out local planning policies for their area.

Councillor Liz Loughran, chair of the Planning committee, said: “Neighbourhood planning is a great way for local people to take a lead in developing the future of their area.

“All neighbourhood plans must align with the City Plan, guiding development and helping to decide the outcome of planning applications in the area.

“If successful, Ovingdean Neighbourhood Forum would be the sixth local forum in the city established to develop a neighbourhood plan.”

Neighbourhood planning

Neighbourhood planning can be led either by a parish council or by a neighbourhood forum set up specifically for the purpose. Once a neighbourhood area has been designated, it cannot be included in any other neighbourhood area.

The area covered

The proposed neighbourhood area includes Ovingdean Village and surrounding areas of the South Downs National Park, stretching north to the boundaries of Woodingdean, east to the edge of Roedean and south to the coast. The proposed neighbourhood area borders Rottingdean Parish Council to the west.

The consultation

Members of the public can view the applications and make comments online on the Your Voice web page.

A Word version of the survey is available on request. Comments can be submitted to neighbourhoodplanning@brighton-hove.gov.uk or in writing to: Neighbourhood Planning, Brighton & Hove City Council, First Floor, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, BN3 3BQ.

Paper copies of the submitted documents are available to view in Rottingdean, Whitehawk, Woodingdean and Jubilee libraries. Both Ovingdean and Rottingdean Village Halls and Woodingdean Community Centre have been sent copies of the documents.

The closing date for representations is Wednesday 14 May 2025.