Report a Fault Momentum is building for a town plan that will give the people of Northwich the power to shape their future. The only sticking point is the cost of producing the plan, which could be up to £29,000. Peter Herbert, director of sustainable communities for Ground Work Cheshire, gave a presentation to Northwich Town Council. He explained the town plan would be led by the community with the help of Groundwork and Cheshire Community Action. ‘The steering group would run events and organise questionnaires in the town to get feedback from local people then come up with an action plan’, he said. ‘All of this needs facilitation and organisation’. He outlined three organisational options of steering groups working with a mixture of thematic and area groups to move the plan forward. The cheapest of these was £15,000 and the most expensive at £29,000. John Fifield, founder and director of Fifield Glyn, attended the latest town council meeting and is keen for the community to be involved in plans for the future of Northwich from very beginning. He said “I have been in touch with the Department of Communities and Local Government who advise that if local people wish to produce a Neighbourhood Plan then this must be led by the town council. If they do, then Government money could be available to fund it. As you know, there are many of us, including the Northwich Independent Retailers Association, who are very opposed to Cheshire West and Chester’s present plans without the endorsement of local people. It is precisely that sort of circumstance that the coalition Government included in the legislation in the Localism Act so that local people can decide themselves what they would like to see in their neighbourhood”. He said leading firm of Manchester planners could run a survey for half the cost. He added “The Barons Quay scheme will be with us for at least 50 years so it is vital that local people have their say”. Town mayor Clr Alison Gerard said “It’s great that a business person has come forward to try to have some involvement with the town plan. With interest from traders, this should have a positive impact on the town plan as we start to steer it forward “. (Taken from The Northwich Guardian 29.02.12 written by Gina Bebbington).
