A planning document designed to prevent development beyond the edges of towns and villages in East Hampshire was approved unanimously by the district council last Thursday.

The authority adopted the Housing Outside Settlement Boundaries Supplementary Planning Document, which drew more than 90 responses when it was put out for public consultation last year.

Its prime purpose is to address speculative development while the council develops its new Local Plan.

The officers’ report said of the consultation: “Many responses, particularly those from individuals and parish councils, requested tighter guidance and more stringent tests prior to releasing a site beyond a defined settlement boundary, while the development industry considered the details of the supplementary planning document to be introducing new policy which is beyond the remit of the supplementary planning document.”

Supplementary planning documents provide guidance to help implement development plan policies. 

They may be used as further guidance for development on particular issues such as housing and they are material considerations in planning decisions.