The Local Plan consultation

If you have not responded to the local plan consultation you have just a few more days to do so. Why? Because it will form the basis of what how Christchurch develops over the next decade and beyond and I would have hoped that all residents would have had an interest. To-date we have over 200 responses, better than most Districts/Boroughs but still disappointing from a population of fifty thousand. Housing is the big issue and I am seeing real concerns expressed about the projects included in the pre-submission document which are associated within green belt areas. I have my own view that the last potential area for a big push to satisfy the demand to house Christchurch people is well documented but there are considerable issues resulting from peripheral sites described and I do want to see a very active response from as many residents as possible so that the right decision can be made for the right reasons. Yesterday I received a parcel of 130 letters about one location including a heart rending plea from a twelve year old girl about protecting our wild life and green areas. This to me is an important example, not of nimbyism, although this is always and understandably a factor, but of a deep concern as to how our Borough can develop considering the pressures being put upon it to ensure we can house our own. So if you haven’t done so already get hold of a copy of the pre-submission document and get involved.