Vote to give townsfolk real voice
As polling day nears and voters are asked whether or not they support the Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan, ALBERT GOLDING explains how you can get involved in what will hopefully be a new future for the town...
OVER the past three weeks I have tried to explain the importance of the Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan in shaping the future of our town.
I have also urged people to use their vote on May 6 to vote in the local referendum on the Plan at the local elections.
The Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan is important because with a “Yes” vote the Plan becomes the People’s Plan and gives locals a real voice in what happens in Ashbourne.
Over the years, local people have voiced their opinions strongly on some of the big planning issues affecting Ashbourne.
I have attended packed meetings of Derbyshire Dales District Council (DDDC) at which residents have told politicians what they want in our town.
Sometimes we have been successful and others times we have not.
The important point is that local people will turn out and express views when development has a direct impact on them as individuals.
However, it is not always the big issues that capture the attention that are important.
Planning decisions on development in Ashbourne are made all the time and most go unnoticed.
Sometimes it is the small planning issue that is important, such as a neighbour’s extension or the loss of a shop in the town centre.
How do you know when this is happening and what can you do about it?
This is when having our own Neighbourhood Plan will make a difference.
If the vote on May 6 at the local referendum is Yes, then Ashbourne will have a legal say in what development occurs in our town for the first time. Our own town council will have real power to influence what shapes Ashbourne in the future.
This gives Ashbourne Town Council a new responsibility in town planning. A responsibility to inform, represent and support sustainable development.
It is said that information is power. Therefore, how will you know what planning applications are being submitted and what development proposals are being planned for Ashbourne?
While all planning applications in Ashbourne are formally published on the district council’s planning website, only the most dedicated of people will read this on a regular basis.
Ashbourne Town Council publishes planning applications it will be considering on council agendas but this normally only allows a few days for people to find out what is going on.
What is needed is an early warning notice of planning applications that affect your neighbourhood. What the town council needs to do is create a planning page on its website that gives advance notice of all planning applications received in Ashbourne. This needs to include a description of development and the date when comments need to be received.
This should occur as soon as possible so that when/if the Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan is approved by residents on May 6 we will have the information that we need to become involved in planning our town.
Ashbourne Town Council has a duty to represent your views on planning and development in Ashbourne. How can you get more involved? Attend town council meetings and express your view.
OK, they are not everyone’s first choice for an evening out in Ashbourne but they are important!
Remember, when/if the Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan gets approved on May 6 then your voice has legal force in planning decisions made in Ashbourne.
This is important: make your comments count.
The Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared on sustainable development principles. In future housing development will only be permitted when these principles are adhered to.
The town needs to avoid the creeping urbanisation of the countryside that has occurred in recent years to the south of Ashbourne as development steadily moves down the A52 to Brailsford.
It is the same with good design and protecting our town’s unique character. We need better health, education and sport and leisure provision to meet the growing population of Ashbourne.
Our town is special. It deserves better.
So please, do not forget to cast your vote in the referendum in support of the Ashbourne Neighbourhood Plan on May 6.
Our own town council will have real power to influence what shapes Ashbourne in the future.