A well-attended public meeting has given Oswestry’s new Neighbourhood Plan an encouraging start, and the council is urging anyone who missed the evening to get in touch if they would like to be involved.
Around 60 residents, community groups and businesses came together at Hope Church on Monday 22 June for the launch of the Oswestry Neighbourhood Plan – a community-led project that will shape planning decisions across the town for years to come. The council was pleased by the turnout and the range of people who came along and is keen to build on that momentum as the project gets underway.
Mayor of Oswestry Cllr Jonathan Upton said: “We were delighted by the response. The room was full of energy, with a great mix of people and organisations all bringing different perspectives and ideas. That breadth of opinion is exactly what a Neighbourhood Plan needs as it should reflect the whole community, and Monday evening gave us confidence that we can achieve that. Our thanks to Shropshire Council for their support on the evening.”
The evening provided an introduction to how neighbourhood planning works and what it can deliver for Oswestry, as well as an open conversation about the issues and priorities that matter to local people. Despite the warm weather outside, the discussion inside was lively with no shortage of views on what the town’s future should look like.
The council is seeking applications from residents and representatives of local organisations to join the Steering Group that will guide the plan’s development over the coming years. Places on the group are still available, and the council is keen to ensure it reflects as wide a range of voices and skillsets as possible.
Applications to join the Steering Group close at 12 noon on Friday 10 July.
The Mayor added: “If you couldn’t make it on Monday, please don’t feel you’ve missed the boat. We want to hear from you. The Steering Group will be at the heart of this project, and the more diverse the range of people involved, the stronger the plan will be. There will also be plenty of other opportunities to become involved.”
To find out more about the Oswestry Neighbourhood Plan, please email: corriedavies@oswestry-tc.gov.uk
