Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Plan consultation launched
Earlier this year, Much Wenlock was chosen as one of seventeen communities in England to be front-runners in the Government’s scheme to devolve planning to a local level.
Neighbourhood planning is a new way for communities to decide the future of the places where they live and work.
Much Wenlock Town Council’s call for volunteers from the community enabled it to set up a steering group including councillors and local residents. The group has organised two events at the town’s Priory Hall to launch the project. The public launch meeting at 7:00pm on Tuesday 22 November will include a presentation, an opportunity for people to give their initial views and to volunteer to help in the plan.
A drop-in event between 11:00am and 1:00pm on Saturday 26 November will also provide an opportunity for people to find out about the project, discuss its aims, provide their initial views and volunteer to help in the plan’s production.
Five major themes identified to start the Neighbourhood Plan
The steering group has identified the following themes that could be explored and
developed during the creation of the plan:
• Creating a sustainable community
• Meeting local housing needs
• Creating a prosperous local economy
• Protecting the local environment
• Improving community services.
Mike Grace, chairman of the steering group said “The Neighbourhood Plan will ensure that the community has a strong voice, in shaping the future of the town and its rural surrounding area. These are the first meetings to inform people of the opportunity we have and to get their ideas and responses to the Steering Group’s initial suggestions. We want to engage people from across the town and parish and through this participation understand their aspirations and future needs. We also hope to engage landowners to explore ways of delivering the community’s needs.”
Extensive communication
The steering group is committed to extensive community engagement and is using road signs, posters and leaflets throughout the town, a full-colour article in the Wenlock Herald as well as a comprehensive website. It is anticipated that following consultation locally, the draft plan will be examined by an inspector in autumn 2012.
