Views needed to help shape Neighbourhood Plan according to community values

Sid Valley residents will soon be asked to respond to ‘the most significant consultation’ yet in helping to shape the future of their community.

Members of a newly formed steering group leading the creation of a Neighbourhood Plan are preparing a document to go to every household in the parish to gather views that truly reflect people’s aspirations.

The £46,000 project is expected to take around 18 months to complete overall and – once adopted – will provide a legal framework that will influence all future planning in Sidmouth, Sidford, Sidbury and Salcombe Regis.

The steering group is chaired by Deirdre Hounsom and comprises members of the community, local groups and Sidmouth Town Councillors.

Deputy chair Councillor Louise Cole said; “The group is busy preparing the first public consultation which will go to every household in Sidmouth as the first step in gathering the views of those who live in the Sid Valley. “This is the most significant consultation to have been carried out in this area and will mean that the Neighbourhood Plan is shaped according to local people. It is our chance to influence the kind of development the community would like to see to protect and promote what the community values.

“We hope that there will be a high response rate and that people will turn up to our consultation events to ensure the plan at the end truly reflects the community’s aspirations for the future. We will be publishing details about the consultation in the coming weeks.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer and offer support to the steering group can contact the town clerk on 01395 512424 or email town.clerk@sidmouthtowncouncil.gov.uk.

Further information about the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan is available on www.sidmouth.gov.uk.