Campus West

WANT to help shape the future planning decisions of your town or village?

Well you could have your say on how to affect the future planning of your area in a free WGC meeting next month, run by a project aimed to help communities contribute to planning decisions.

The Plan YOUR Place evening, which requires booking a place, features a programme of events to help any individuals, communities and neighbourhoods in Hertfordshire.

Run by a partnership between Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils (HAPTC) and CPRE Hertfordshire as part of the nationwide Supporting Communities and Neighbourhoods in Planning project, it has been funded by the Government.

The project aims to help communities contribute under the changed system introduced by the Localism Act.

It will look at myths about the planning of towns and the countryside, clarify changes to the planning system, identify ways to influence decisions, highlight how and why to get involved, outline what the relevant local council is doing, summarise where to get support and encourage individuals and groups to learn more.

HAPTC chairman Judith Watson, a parish councillor 
herself in Woolmer Green, said: “We hope that our Plan YOUR Place programme will give communities greater confidence to help shape the places in which they live.

“The future is very bright for all of Hertfordshire’s parish and town councils and, together with unparished neighbourhoods, they will be able to play an increasingly important role in planning their own sustainable localities throughout Hertfordshire.”

Kevin FitzGerald, honorary director at CPRE Herts, said: “I am pleased that we have secured funding to support work in Hertfordshire to increase local participation in the decisions which have an impact on the places where we live and work.

“Imminent changes to the planning system make it more important than ever to get involved in shaping the plans for our towns, villages and countryside”.

The meeting runs from 6.30pm on Wednesday, February 8, at Campus West, WGC.

To book a place email office@cpreherts.org.uk call 01438 717587, or visit www.cpreherts.org.uk