A Neighbourhood Plan for Boughton Aluph, Eastwell & Goat Lees
Issue 8, May 2016
Welcome
Thank you for signing up for our Neighbourhood Plan newsletter.
We are a small group of volunteers working with the Parish Council on a Neighbourhood Plan for Boughton Aluph, Eastwell and Goat Lees. Neighbourhood Plans are a new way for local people to influence the planning and development of the area in which they live or work. Together, we will shape the future of our community.
Great response to the Neighbourhood Plan Survey
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Neighbourhood Plan Survey. We received 482 completed survey forms. Representing close to half of the households in our parish, this is well above the average response rate for surveys of this type. We are a community that cares about the future development of our area.
Our Neighbourhood Plan must be based on a proper understanding of our parish and of the views, wants and needs of local people and businesses. By filling in the survey, you have told us how you think our community should change and grow over the next 15 years. Below is an overview of responses. Some of the detailed results of the survey will appear in our next newsletter.
We have received a good representation of views from all parts of the parish and from all ages. The majority of the responses came from residents who have lived in our parish for more than 5 years.
In addition to providing the important evidence base to underpin our Neighbourhood Plan, the survey results will provide a valuable source of residents' views to guide the future strategy of the Parish Council.
When will we see the results of the survey?
Your survey forms are being independently analysed by planning and regeneration consultancy, People and Places Partnership. They will provide us with their report in June. You will be able to see the survey results at a series of community events in July and on our website.
The dates and locations of the 3 events are below. Further details will appear in our next newsletter. Please spare half an hour to call in to find out what your neighbours have had to say. Everyone is welcome.
Saturday 16 July, 11.00am to 2.00pm
Goat Lees Community Hall
Saturday 23 July, 11.00am to 2.00pm
The Iron Room, Boughton Lees
Sunday 24 July, 11.00am to 2.00pm
Sandyacres Sports & Social Club, Sandyhurst Lane
What happens next?
The results of the survey will enable us to write a draft Neighbourhood Plan for our parish. We expect this will be ready by the late summer. It will go through various stages of public consultation and independent examination. The final version will be put to a parish referendum. Our Neighbourhood Plan must be approved by majority public vote before it can come into effect.
Once adopted, our Neighbourhood Plan will become part of Ashford Borough Council’s statutory Local Plan to 2030 and will be used in making decisions on planning applications in our area. As a legal document it will carry real weight in planning decisions. Developers and local authority planners will have to take notice of it.
You can submit your views on the Neighbourhood Plan at any time on our website, www.parishplan.uk.
Get involved
This project relies on volunteers. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who helped distribute and collect copies of the Neighbourhood Plan Survey. Too many to mention here but you know who you are. A special thank you goes to Claire who went the extra mile, quite literally, in Goat Lees.
If you would like to get involved, you will find information about volunteering opportunities on our website. Whatever skills you have or free time you can give, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch today.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.
