Villagers' efforts hit the national headlines

The efforts of the Yapton Neighbourhood Planning Group were featured in The Times newspaper as new national planning rules were announced by the government.

Andy Faulkner, the group’s co-chairman, said: “We are delighted to get national coverage for the group and what we are trying to achieve.

“The issues that affect Yapton are replicated across the country.”

Group members highlighted the village’s fight against a 173-house development on the northern fringe of the village.

As previously reported, a planning inspector ruled in the developer’s favour last December in spite of the plans being rejected by the parish and district councils.

The government’s new planning system encourages residents to have more control over their areas and future development.

The Yapton Neighbourhood Plan is being compiled by villagers, with the support of Yapton Parish Council, to establish a vision for the village’s evolution and long term sustainability.

The group of 12 village residents has been awarded a £20,000 government grant to develop its plan.

The group is asking villagers to complete a survey about how they would like to see the village develop.

The results will inform the final plan.

Surveys, which must be completed before May 31, can be found at www.ynp.org.uk, in the current issue of the parish magazine, or at local collection and drop off points in the village.

These include the Co-op, Avisford Surgery and Bilsham stores.