New plan to protect town from development begins to take shape

VOLUNTEERS and councillors are working together to come up with a development plan for the town.

A steering group has held meetings with the aim of producing a Neighbourhood Plan for Bollington. Neighbourhood Plans give communities a chance to set out what should be built where, such as homes and offices.

Cheshire East is working with some parishes to produce plans while its Local Plan is being finalised. The Local Plan - the development plan for the whole borough - is being redrafted after a planning inspector identified problems with it.

A neighbourhood plan could inform decisions over planning applications in the meantime.

MP David Rutley said: “We’re proud of our green spaces in this area and want to protect them. The evidence from emerging neighbourhood plans can give some protection while the Local Plan is being put into place.”

The Bollington steering group is made up of 16 resident volunteers and town councillors formed after a public meeting which resulted in 43 volunteers coming forward. Some will help on sub groups such as traffic and transport, open spaces and heritage.

At stages throughout the plan process, residents and businesses will be consulted and this will culminate in a referendum when a clear majority of residents will need to agree the plan meets the needs of Bollington.

The completed Neighbourhood Plan has to be approved by the Town Council. It’s hoped the plan will be in place within 18 months.

The steering group will meet again on Wednesday, February 18 and monthly after that.