Localism steps up a gear in Camelford

The people of Camelford have been given the go-ahead to say what they want their town to look like and how it will cater for the housing, employment and services that residents will require in the next ten to twenty years.

Camelford Town Council has received notification from Cornwall Council that it can create a Neighbourhood Plan, encouraging local people to have their say in what they want in their community and to take more control of the planning process to ensure their collective vision becomes a reality. This will include everyone who lives, works or visits Camelford while the plan is developed over the next twelve months, from young people and elderly, to commuters, businesses owners, individuals and families.

A steering group has been assembled to ensure that the Camelford Neighbourhood Plan genuinely reflects the desires, interests and expectations of the town’s 2,500 plus residents. The Chair of the steering group, Cllr Andy Shaw, states: “We will be taking into account the trailblazing community planning work that has been carried out in the recent past and we will ensure that our Neighbourhood Plan covers new ground. We will be offering many different ways for people to have their say and we expect that the town’s residents, businesses and organisations will come up with innovative ideas that, when put into the Neighbourhood Plan, will give us statutory powers to build a dynamic future for Camelfordians.”

The Secretary for the Camelford Neighbourhood Plan steering committee, Claire Hewlett, will be encouraging residents wishing to make their views known about land use, the built and the natural environment, employment and services in the town. She says “We are keen to hear from people with an interest in Camelford. As we get the plan process under way we will want volunteers to come forward to help gather information, carry out research and draw up policies on a variety of topics that, when we put the plan together, will cover all aspects of land-use in the town.” She added: “It may sound like complicated, hard work but we will have lots of support. We are applying for a grant from the Community Development Foundation to cover the expense of events, publicity and advice. We have also secured the services of Simon Swale, a long-term resident with many years of community planning experience, to project manage the initial stages of the plan’s development and we are able to call on advice and support of Cornwall Council planning staff who have guidance materials, maps, other useful documents and links to other communities with experience in neighbourhood planning.”

The Camelford Neighbourhood Plan steering committee are encouraging Camelfordians to contact them if they have questions, comments about, or an interest in participating in, the development of the Neighbourhood Plan. Please email secretary Claire Hewlett at clairehewlett@btinternet.com or call 01840 212880.