A vision for Christchurch

Currently CBC officers, members and other interested parties are working on what is called a local development framework core strategy trying to determine what Christchurch will be like in twenty years time.Further it is determining the policies in all areas which will have to be in place to see that that vision is achievable. This strategy will cover every aspect of life in Christchurch and is being conducted in partnership with East Dorset Council. Residents were asked some six months ago to contribute by completing a questionnaire delivered to every household in the Borough.The returns were quite disappointing in terms of numbers of responses but those that did respond made some very interesting observations all of which will be given due consideration. My interest is to do with trying to think outside the box in dealing with subjects like population levels, traffic management, economic development and of course crime and disorder and what this town will look like at this time in the future. This is no easy task and it is further complicated by government laying down central plans for just about everything to do with community planning . Some call this the 'nanny state syndrome'. Whilst I am no lover of this centralist approach to our democratic process I do realise that visionary thinking is required and am embracing all the issues which will make Christchurch an even better place to live despite the dictates of quango's, regional assemblies and other levels of governance that we are subjected to. The reason for this blog is to ask anyone who is desperately interested in such a process to contact me as increasingly I realise that I need people to bounce ideas off.