A VISION for the future of Droitwich Spa is a step closer to becoming a reality after the town council unanimously gave a community group the go ahead to start developing a neighbourhood plan.
Coun Richard Morris put forward the motion at a packed St Richards House last night (Monday) and it was supported by Coun Tom Noyes, Coun Bob Brookes and Labour Coun Alan Humphries who all spoke in favour of the plan.
Prior to its submission, Coun Morris worked with a small group of people to investigate the merits of having a neighbourhood plan and following that research, which included looking at NPs in Malvern, Morpeth and Sandbach, it was deemed one would be beneficial for the town.
Among those taking part in the discussions were members of Droitwich Civic Society, SOGOS (Save our green and open spaces), For Droitwich and DCVS (Droitwich Council for voluntary services) along with Kate Hamilton and fellow town councillors who put forward their ideas.
A Town Plan was created in 2008 but since then there has been no official document to map out what Droitwich should look like in years to come.
Coun Morris thanked those who helped with his investigation and said: “There are few things available to exert the town on a local basis and a neighbourhood plan is one of them.
“Droitwich hasn’t had a voice or a vehicle to have its say and this will hopefully do that.”
He added with more than 1,600 new homes under development there was a lot of concern in the town over infrastructure, such as roads, schools and availability of doctors’ surgeries.
“Droitwich has a rich heritage and there is also a view that not enough is made of this to create a desired image and environment for our town.
“A neighbourhood plan can be a vehicle to help us improve these areas and the plan can be legally enforceable where land is involved.”
Concerns were raised at the meeting about the impact of the new Neighbourhood Planning Bill which has been lauded by the Government for its ability to speed up the planning process and lead to more homes being built.
But it was clarified that the aspect about the number of homes taken has already been covered in the SWDP (South Worcestershire Development Plan) and the Droitwich Neighbourhood Plan would be more focused on how the town should look in the decades to come.
It was also stipulated by the town clerk that at least £20,000 should be lodged up front with the town council and that if there was no cash in the budget, expenditure and the plan be halted until those funds were replenished.
But Coun Morris said he was confident once the process began, grants and funding could be obtained.
The next stage will be a public meeting from 7.30pm to 9pm on November 7 at St Andrews Church where residents and representatives from community groups will be able to find out more about the plan, the process and put forward their ideas. Further down the line a steering group will be set up to lead the process.
Anyone wanting to go to the meeting or find out more should email Coun Richard Morris at [email protected] to register their interest.
