More parishes join the parish plan 'family'
Parish planning in Winchester is going from strength to strength, as a number of parishes prepare to publish their plans at the same time as others are just setting out on the process.After two or more years of hard work, residents in Soberton, Hambledon and Kings Worthy are close to publishing their parish plans. Soberton's draft parish plan is currently out for consultation so local people can comment on the ideas put forward, while in Hambledon and Kings Worthy first drafts have been produced and will be developed further in the coming months. Residents in Wickham also have a draft parish plan to replace their current one that was published in 2004. Once completed, these plans will add to the ten community-led plans already published in Winchester District and will mean that close to a third of all parishes will have completed a plan.
Just as important is the news that a number of parishes are keen on following their lead and starting a parish plan of their own. A group of residents have just come together in Shedfield to start the process, and the parish councils in Upham, Wonston and Itchen Valley will be discussing in the coming weeks how to get started in their own areas. Much of this has stemmed from residents' interest in continuing the discussions that started with the City Council's major Blueprint consultation exercise late in 2010, which sparked a real interest amongst local people in planning for the future of their community.
For more information about community-led planning, or to discuss how to start a plan in your area, contact Steve Lincoln, Community Planning Manager at slincoln@winchester.gov.uk or 01962 848110.