Hello again
Another quick update as the Steering Group’s attention for the next few weeks is focused on two key topics: completing our Neighbourhood Plan and organising the AGM. So…..
1. Plan’s Progress
- We published the first two sections of our draft Plan before Christmas. If you missed the chance to have a look at it, here is a link to the document. Your thoughts on the content (as well as details of any typos, grammatical errors) will be very welcome.
- The final section, containing our policies and the justification for them, is still being written. The strand groups have gathered the raw data and evidence and it is now a question of collating and condensing the information into policies that will pass the examination process and – more importantly – work for us in expressing our aims and aspirations for future development.
- I was hoping this final section would be ready by the end of the month, but it is taking longer than anticipated. It is now likely the draft Plan will be finished & published in late spring ready for consultation with you in early summer.
- We are still re-working exact deadlines and we’ll report more fully at the AGM.
2. Housing Design work
- Another reason for the delay is that we await a report we commissioned last autumn regarding housing design and codes. Mark and the housing strand team have done great work to produce draft policies with strong supporting evidence. However, we lack the technical expertise when it comes to devising the correct words/phrases we need to ensure polices are watertight.
- AECOM are producing a report to help us express our objectives in this area. We have been advised their report will be ready in mid/end February, so we are busy ‘holding their toes to the fire’ to ensure they stay on track.
- One of our aims is to see new affordable homes built quickly and so we are keen to explore modular system techniques that might be used in our Area. Modular systems are where houses are largely ‘factory built’ and then transported to site where they can be quickly erected in a couple of weeks
- This method is growing in popularity across the country. If you want to learn more about it, here is a link to a very interesting BBC programme: In Business – Home Truths: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001vll
3. AGM is coming
- As reported last time, we will be showcasing ideas for some major infrastructure needed in our Area. This infrastructure will be formalised in the strategic masterplans being developed and – again as reported previously – we are taking part in this work.
- We aim to feed in to the masterplan process our thoughts and ideas that work for us as a community. So we have commissioned some high level maps to show:
- Green Infrastructure Corridors through and around our Area
- Cycle routes and walkways to encourage more people out of cars
- New road layouts to ensure smooth flow to traffic to/from HS2 stations as well as ease congestion on Stapleford Lane/Swiney Way
- We need your thoughts on these ideas so when we take them to the Masterplanning workshops we know we represent your opinions.
- So another great reason come along to the AGM and tell us what you think.
4. And finally….
- Web site re-vamp. The communications sub-group have been discussing changes to our web site to reflect current priorities and in particular to make it easy to find all documents relating to the Neighbourhood Plan, when it is formally published. Expect to see these changes take place over the next few weeks.
- Volunteers needed. We will be delivering leaflets to publicise the AGM to every household in our Area in the week leading up to Sunday Feb 10. We are looking for volunteers who can spare an hour or two to help us deliver some of these leaflets around your neighbourhood. If you are able to help, please email me: graham.cttcnf@gmail.com
More next time
Kind regards
Graham
Broxtowe Lotto: tickets available from our CTTC Forum page where you’ll also find details of the scheme.