The first survey was launched by the Chesham Town Council to understand the public’s thoughts on the future of planning and development in the town.
The initial consultation wants to work out a long-term planning approach, known as the Chesham Neighbourhood Plan (CNP).
In addition to setting a long-term vision for the town, the project aims to identify areas of brownfield land for development and regeneration, and plan standards on climate change and the environment, which will protect the area’s green spaces and green belt land.
Conservative Councillor Nick Southworth, Chair of the Town Council’s Planning Committee, said: “Chesham a great place to live and full of potential, but it is a town that has been historically poorly served in planning terms.
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“The Chesham Neighbourhood Plan consultation opens the debate on our future directly to residents, with the aim of putting together a planning document that will give us real control over the next chapter of our towns development.
He urged all residents to “find the time to feed back to us”.
Apparently this new plan’s necessary to secure the town’s future, but the Town Council remains supportive of an earlier plan, the ‘Chesham Masterplan’, proposed by the Chesham Renaissance Community Interest Company in February 2018.
Another Councillor, Jane MacBean, a member of Chesham Town Council and a member of the Buckinghamshire East Planning Committee, said:
“As a team we have spent a lot of time reviewing the vision and objectives of the Chesham Masterplan and the valuable feedback from residents that was given in 2018.
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“We remain supportive of the Chesham Renaissance Community Interest Company's initial work and continued efforts, much of which has been invaluable in helping us to guide and shape Chesham’s emerging Neighbourhood Plan.
“Once adopted, the CNP will sit alongside any future Local Plan prepared by Buckinghamshire Council and provide a framework for deciding future planning applications in Chesham.
“It will also ensure the Town Council receives the higher rate of 25% of any Community Infrastructure Levy contributions from developers to fund local infrastructure and community projects.”
Work on the new CNP started in 2020.
Comments must be in by Friday April 15 and the online survey can be found here.
Paper edition of the survey will go out in the April paper edition of the free YourChesham magazine, with a FreePost code included so responses can be send back to Town Hall.
Paper copies are also available at the Chesham Town Hall.
For large print copies, email policy@chesham.gov.uk or call 01494 583798.
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