Residents of Camelford parish are soon to find out the results of the community consultation survey, which has been carried out on behalf of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.
The process of putting together a Neighbourhood Plan is a lengthy one. First, the group had to apply to Cornwall Council for ratification, and once this was done, it started work on the questionnaire alongside a research company.
The questionnaire went out in June and the group was present at Camelford Show in August, promoting the plan and gathering comments.
The survey was closed at the end of August, and since then analysis of the results has taken place.
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Claire Hewlett, secretary of the group, said: “We’ve had over a 30% response rate, which is good. It means that the results are reliable.
“We’re hoping people will come along to the meeting to find out the results. It’s taken a long time to get to this point but this is where it starts getting interesting. Now we have evidence, based on the responses of local people, to guide the next steps of the plan.”
The survey highlights areas of Camelford that are particularly precious to the residents of the parish, and notes things they believe would make the area better, as well as things they would not like to see.
Claire said: “The survey will then highlight key issues that will be the basis of putting together the plan. We need people to come and help put these ideas into plain English policies that are understandable. It has far more weight and influence if it’s really rooted in the community. The more community impact we have the more credible our plan will be.”
The Neighbourhood Plan, which was introduced by Central Government under the Localism Act, will run to 2030, with the aim of having some local control over planning, be it either residential, business or recreational.
“It’s not stopping development, it’s enabling the people of Camelford to have their say,” added Claire.
Once the plan is finished, it will go to a local referundum. If passed at this final stage, the Neighbourhood Plan will hold a statutory weight and it will become the first point of call for planning applications.
Everyone is invited to attend the event, which will be held on Wednesday, October 7 at Camelford Hall, starting at 7.30pm.