Villagers turn out in force to support neighbourhood plan

LYMM residents turned out in force for the first public consultation event to support the village neighbourhood plan.
More than 600 people attended the event in the village hall – and more than 30 volunteers helped organise it.
Dr Natalie Palmer, chairman of the neighbourhood plan working group, said: “This proves community spirit is alive in Lymm.”
Warrington Borough Council is, like many other authorities, planning new housing and infrastructure developments.
Lymm has been allocated a housing target of 600 new houses including 500 on green belt land, over the next 20 years.
The neighbourhood plan working group is creating a plan that ensures the borough considers the views of Lymm residents. The group acts as the voice of Lymm, and will work independently, supported by the parish council to help steer these developments, by finding out what people want for their village and then ultimately helping to make it become legal planning guidance.
To do this the plan must pass an independent inspection and be supported in a village referendum. It then becomes official council policy.
The group is run entirely by volunteers who are passionate to ensure the local community’s wishes are heard when planning applications are considered.
Dr Palmer said: “There is a lot of work to be done over the next two to three years in producing this neighbourhood plan, but it is an example of what a great community we live in that so many people want to be a part of shaping the future of the village. Without the support of the community there will be no neighbourhood plan and the future of the village will be determined by the developers.
“Hundreds of post-it notes containing resident’s opinions on the five themes of housing, social needs, environment, transport and economy were collected at the public meeting. There are some very clear themes emerging on types of houses, on accessibility and on the need to preserve the green spaces in and around the village.
“There is concern over the increasing level of traffic on the roads and a call for safe walking routes to be developed. There were many who think there should be more opportunities for small businesses to grow in the parish, providing employment for local people.”
The neighbourhood plan group is looking for volunteers who can help gather the views of all sections of the community from every corner of the parish. The group would also like to hear from local businesses who can inform the group on the pressures facing local employers.
Anyone who would like to help in any way should contact the group through the newly launched website www.lymmplan.org