Tetbury residents to take back control of planning (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tetbury residents to take back control of planning with the Tetbury and District Neighbourhood Planning Group

12:00pm Saturday 23rd March 2013 in News By Ian Craig

CONTROL over planning and developments in Tetbury is to be taken back into the hands of residents.

The Tetbury and District Neighbourhood Development Planning Group has been formed to put together a development plan for the area over the next 15 years.

The group is made up of residents and representatives from both parish councils in the area – Tetbury and Tetbury Upton – along with a range of organisations such as the chamber of commerce, schools and clubs.

At Monday’s meeting of Tetbury Town Council, group chairman Liz Farnham said it was working to put together a plan by Christmas and was hoping as many residents as possible would get involved.

"It’s a huge amount of work," she said.

She added the group would consult with other parishes which had already put together neighbourhood plans such as Malmesbury, where 180 homes were this week granted planning permission on appeal. However, that decision was later retracted and referred to planning minster Nick Bowles.

"Given the situation they are in we would like to know if they would have done anything differently," Cllr Farnham said. "Let’s not reinvent the wheel – let’s learn what works and what doesn’t work."

Cllr Stephen Hirst said it was important the plans were developed as soon as possible.

"At the moment we are still in the parade ring, we are not even trotting down to the stage yet," he said.

Anyone who would like to get involved with the group can contact Cllr Farnham on 01666 504746.