Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan. Consultation Statement

Transcription

1 Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan Consultation Statement This Consultation Statement has been prepared to fulfil the legal obligations of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Section 15(1b) of Part 5. Section 15(2) of the Regulations sets out what a Consultation Statement should contain: (a) details of the persons and bodies who were consulted about the proposed neighbourhood development plan; (b) explanation of how they were consulted; (c) a summary of the main issues and concerns raised by the persons consulted; (d) a description of how these issues and concerns have been considered and, where relevant, addressed in the proposed neighbourhood development plan. 1

2 Contents The Start of the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) 3 The Draft Lydney NDP 4 The Lydney NDP Public Consultation Period 5 Publicity of the Lydney Draft Plan 6 Public Consultation Feedback 7 APPENDIX 1. Lydney NDP Questionnaire 9 2. Public Meeting - 11th January 2012 Town Meeting Copy of Local Groups Public Consultation Letter Lydney NDP website Home page List of Consultees sent NDP Public Consultation Feedback 28 2

3 The Start of the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan Lydney Town Council instigated the idea of developing the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) in April 2012 and began discussing this with the Forest of Dean District Council, the Local Planning Authority (LPA), in May Local Group Representatives The Lydney NDP Community Steering Group was formed with members from the Town Council, representatives of local groups and interested individuals to progress the Lydney NDP. Representatives of local clubs were asked to join the NDP Community Steering Group in September 2012 and there was local group representatives from: Oakdale Links Lydney Area in Partnership Ned s Top Action Group Lydney Ramblers The group formally adopted a constitution and agreed the outline/area to be designated as the NDP area, and on the 8 th of November 2012 the Forest of Dean District Council acknowledged Lydney s NDP Community Steering Group (the Steering Group) as a correctly constituted body. The NDP area was designated on the 17 January 20. Lydney Questionnaire The Steering Group complied a questionnaire in July 2012 and distributed it in the latter half of 2012 seeking public feedback on a number of pertinent issues to the town (see Appendix One). The questionnaires were distributed to shops, community groups and individuals. The questionnaire was also included in the Lydney Town Council Summer newsletter which is inserted into The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Review newspaper and was distributed to 4,009 Lydney households and businesses. A total of 171 questionnaires were returned and correlated, with the results providing an indication to the Steering Group of the important issues for people. Public Meetings On the 11th of January 20 the Steering Group held a public meeting to introduce NDPs, the changes to the planning system and the process of completing an NDP. The meeting, attended by Mark Harper, the local MP who introduced the NDP process, was well attended by members of the public. There was an extensive question and answer session at the meeting on the possible remit of the Lydney NDP and the extent of its power, as well as questions on more general issues which were contentious in the town. Details of this meeting can be seen in Appendix Two. 3

4 The Draft Lydney NDP Following the 11th January 20 town meeting the NDP Steering Group grouped the main issues which were identified in the NDP questionnaires and raised in the town meeting into 8 headings: - Education - Transport - Health - Leisure and Sport - Town Centre Regeneration - Economic Growth - Environment - Harbour Considering the wide range of issues that had been raised by the Lydney residents and due to the lack of knowledge about the scope of NDPs, the Steering Group decided to draft a working document of the issues to aide further discussions with the community, on the premise it is easier and more focussed to discuss something rather than have a blank piece of paper. The Steering Group began working on the draft in February 20 and with the help of Lydney Town Council employed a parttime admin assistant to help with the process in March 20. Funding was sought from Locality and awarded, allowing the group to create a website and publicise the Draft NDP. The Steering Group identified people to act as leads in each of the 8 issues from within the group and to assemble a working group of interested people and experts to report back to the Steering Group. Over the next months feedback from the working groups and Steering Group developed the draft and in September 20 the 'Draft Lydney Plan - Public Version' was produced (available on the Lydney NDP website The Lydney NDP website was launched on September 23rd 20 and the Lydney NDP Facebook page was launched on 26th July 20. Launch of the Lydney Draft Plan The Draft Plan was publicised as a hard printed copy and an on-line version, both of which include requests for readers to comment on the Draft Plan. The on-line version published via the website ( encouraged on the website 'Home' page "Come to one of the Town Meetings (see events section), read the website and/or contact us with your thoughts" (see copy of the website Home page in Appendix Four) and each page of the website included a button where people could access the Draft Plan and a comments section where people could load up their feedback and comments along with their address (the address was a mandatory feature included to stop spam). If people did not wish to upload their comments or include their address, the 'Contact' page of the website included the phone number and postal address where comments could be sent. 4

5 The Lydney NDP Public Consultation Period The Steering Group published the Draft Lydney Plan for consultation in accordance with The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulation 2011, Part 5, Regulation 14. Regulation 14a (iv) requires not less than 6 weeks consultation and Lydney s lengthy public and statutory consultation period was held for 11 weeks from the 2 nd of October 20 until the 20 th of December 20 which enable more time for people to comment and to detailed consultations with particular groups on specific issues. Printed copies of the Draft Lydney Plan were distributed prior to the start of the public consultation period on the 2 nd of October 20. Consultation packs were assembled, which included: Lydney Draft Plan a covering letter asking for feedback the date by which comments needed to be returned, the website address where further information could be found the postal address and phone number were comments could be made 2 comments sheets where comments could be written a stamped addressed envelope for the return of the comments sheet(s) One hundred and forty one consultation packs were posted to: - 32 local groups and organisations - 14 local schools, nurseries, academy and children's centre - 5 nursing and care homes for the elderly - 4 health centres - 6 environmental groups - 2 village agents - 78 statutory consultees including the LPA, Forest of Dean District Council A further 71 printed Draft Plans with comments sheets for feedback and a stamped addressed envelope, cover letter and poster showing details of the town meeting dates were hand delivered to local businesses and retail units by Admin Assistants and members of the Steering Group. Where possible/appropriate, a conversation was struck up about the Lydney NDP while dropping off the Draft Plan and the importance of public feedback and details of the up-coming public consultation events. Multiple copies were also left at the local library, Town Council office, Town Hall and Naas Lane Community Centre. The cover letter sent out to the Lydney Community groups was extended to provide detail of NDPs and details of the up-coming public consultation events, along with a poster advertising the town meetings, a copy of which can be found in Appendix Three. Details those consulted are contained in Appendix Five. 5

6 Publicity of the Lydney Draft Plan As well as distribution of the printed copies of the Draft Lydney Plan, Lydney resident were contacted in a variety of ways during the consultation period, including: The NDP website and Facebook page were created and launched prior to the consultation period 10,000 copies of Newsletter No.1 were sent to Lydney residents and businesses at the start of the consultation period (see Appendix Four) Radio interview with Radio Gloucestershire at the beginning of the consultation period highlighted NDPs and advertised Lydney s Plan and community public consultation meeting dates Newspaper adverts were placed in the two local papers for six weeks advertising the website, Facebook page and two town meetings dates Two public meetings were held at the start of the consultation period, on the 2 nd and 8 th of October 20 10,000 copies of Newsletter No.2 were sent to Lydney residents and businesses in the middle of the consultation period Bi monthly Lydney Town Councillor surgeries were held outside of the town centre Co-op or Tesco stores at which further NDP questionnaires were issued, the Lydney Draft Plan was discussed and comments public were recorded. Members of the Steering Group attended the local church summer fete event manned a stand with NDP display boards Public Meetings Two public consultation meetings were held for Lydney residents and businesses at the start of the Public Consultation period to discuss the Draft Lydney Plan. The first meeting was held in Lydney Community Centre, Naas Lane at 7pm on Wednesday the 2 nd of October 20 and second in The Annexe Inn, in the centre of town on Tuesday the 8 th of October 20 at 7pm. The meeting room's contained a number of presentation boards detailing the NDP process and some of the key issues contained in the Draft Lydney Plan. The meeting was planned as an informal drop-in information gathering session where people could look at the presentation boards. A number of printed Draft Plans were available at the meeting and it was also displayed on two laptops situated on tables within the room. During the meetings a rolling Power Point presentation providing information on the NDP process was shown on a large screen in the room. A number of tables were also arranged around the room which dealt with specific issues like the Docks, Public Rights of Way/Public Access and environmental issues with members of the Steering Group manned the presentation boards to help with any questions members of the public had. Apart from a short Welcome Speech from the Steering Group Chair, Councillor Brian Pearman, the remainder of the meeting followed an informal question-led structure where members of the public asked questions of Steering Group members or initiated discussions on topics or issues that concerned them. Comments sheets where people could write their thoughts and feedback on were scattered through-out the meeting rooms, and all 6

7 comments from the sheets were added to the Public Consultation NDP Feedback record (see Appendix Six). The meetings were advertised through the local newspapers, The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Review and The Forester. Posters advertising the event were displayed at key points in the town and invites to the meeting and posters advertising the events where sent to local groups and organisations, schools and churches with a copy of the Draft Lydney Plan. Both the NDP website and Facebook page advertised the meeting dates and explained the rationale behind them. A newsletter (edition1) summarising Lydney s Plan process and summarising the issues the draft plan contained, also advertised the public consultation meetings, which was sent to 10,000 residential and business addresses in the Lydney area (GL15 area). Public Consultation Feedback The public consultation period ended on the 20 th of December 20 and lasted 11 weeks. Initially Lydney s public consultation period was planned for a seven week period from the 2nd of October to 22nd of November 20, but this was extended a further 4 weeks to the 20th of December when people commented they did not feel they had enough time to contribute to the consultation process and/or they had only become aware of the Draft Plan late in the Consultation period. All the people who expressed this concern were informed of the public consultation extension where possible. Also it became apparent that specific issues regarding renewal energy policy in the Draft Plan provoked strong feelings and discussions and the consultation period was extended to enable a full discussion of these issues with both the NDP Steering Group and the Lydney Town Council. During the Public consultation period 165 comments were received. All comments were added to the Public Consultation NDP Feedback record and can be found in Appendix Six and on the website Collation and Inclusion of Public Consultation Feedback During January 2014 the consultation comments were collated and three working group meetings during January and February 2014 were convened by the Steering Group to appraise to feedback and incorporate it into the Lydney Plan where appropriate. Appendix Six identifies the feedback and the actions associated with the comments ie. included in the NDP and any specific actions for example included in the Harbour section of the NDP. The Draft Plan was amended accordingly and revised into the 'Lydney Plan - Examiners Version'. The Steering Group compared the Examiners Version to the Public Version to assess the extent of the changes to the document an whether the examiners version constituted a different document in light of the changes and required a second consultation period. It was concluded the Examiners Version did not constitute a new document but an evolution of the Public Version 7

8 Appendices 8

9 Appendix One Lydney s NDP Questionnaire 9

10 Appendix Two Public Meeting - 11th January 20 Publicity The public meeting was advertised through the local newspaper, The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Review, also a press release providing more detail on Neighbourhood Development plans and the process was published in the newspaper. Copy of the newspaper Advert in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Review in the week commencing 7th January 20 Example of the A4 poster advertising the event were displayed at key points in the town. 10

11 Copy of Press Release used The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Review in the week commencing 7th January 20 11

12 Attendance Sheets from Town Meeting on 11th January 20 12

13

14 14

15 Notes from Neighbourhood Development Plan Public Meeting held in Lydney Town Hall on Friday 11th January 20 at 6.30 pm Present: NDP Steering Group Cllr B Pearman (BP) (Chairman), C Craske, W Owen, D Street, B Hobman (BH), R Deeks, Cllr W Osborne (WO), Cllr B Thomas, Cllr D Biddle, Cllr A Preest (AP), Cllr B Berryman Mr Mark Harper, MP Mrs J Smailes (JS) CEO, Lydney Town Council, Miss C Wheeler EO, Lydney Town Council (note taker) 44 Members of the Public BP welcomed all to the meeting and was delighted to see so many members of the public present. All attendees were advised that copies of the presentation and notes would be available after the meeting and members of the public were encouraged to provide their details to Town Council staff to receive copies. BP gave a commitment to provide a response if any issues were raised at the meeting which could not be provided with an immediate response. BP then proceeded to give an overview of a Neighbourhood Development Planning (NDP) process; the benefits it could bring to the town with regard to focusing development; the need to ensure that it conforms with Forest of Dean District Council s Core Strategy; the part members of the public can play in developing the NDP, together with the fact that once it has been scrutinised by an Inspector (and been subjected to a referendum) it becomes a Statutory Planning Document. MH reminded those present of how historically Planning Policy was addressed (i.e. Regional Bodies who issued edicts to Local Councils) and then gave an overview of how the situation had now changed as a result of the Localism Act introduced in November 2011 which now allowed the community a greater say in how their town and community developed. Whilst it was stressed that it was not compulsory for a Town to design an NDP, MH was pleased to note that Lydney was embracing the ethos of Localism and leading the way with the work the NDP Steering Group were addressing. A question and answer session then took place, during which the following questions were received: Mr Leppington Is it feasible to development the existing car wash area in the centre of the Town into a marketplace? BP Lydney Town Council and the NDP Steering Group had registered a joint Right to Bid for the area starting at the car wash and terminating at the Tuffins store. This features very high on the agenda for the NDP Steering Group. The area is thought to be key to the Town s sustainability. Mr Nelmes Forest of Dean District Council have already granted approval for 2,000 houses, but the consent expires shortly. Would the NDP be able to influence this decision? MH Forest of Dean District Council attempted to do their best to resist the housing development, but an edict had been issued by the Regional Body regarding the number of houses to be built in the area. Unfortunately the NDP cannot be made retrospective and therefore cannot prevent the houses 15

16 from being built for which outline planning consent has already been granted. Members of the public need to get involved in the early stages of planning development, if they have objections/concerns about specific proposals prior to planning consent being granted, this is where an NDP will become important. WO felt that the developer concerned had been granted 5 years in which to commence development on the site and he highlighted that no activity had yet been carried out on site. Accordingly, WO stated that unless a start was made on site the developer would be required to renew their planning consent with Forest of Dean District Council. Mr James I am passionate about the Friends of Lydney Hospital (FOLH). FOLH tried to encourage the Local Health Authority to apply for S106 funding from the aforementioned development to fund improvements in healthcare infrastructure which will be required due to the increase in population from the development. I would like to see a map showing the area which the NDP will cover and would be obliged if it would cover the Parish to the limit of the Welcome to Lydney gateway signage. BP We are able to provide you with a plan of the area covered by the NDP and can assure you that provision for health and education feature heavily in our document. The NDP designated area is available and shown in map form on the Forest of Dean District Council website and covers all of the Parish of Lydney. Cllr Pearman How does the S106 funding secured for education now stand, considering Whitecross School has now changed to The Dean Academy? MH An Academy School is still funded by the taxpayer, so it is assumed that S106 funding will not be affected. (An explanation of how S106 funding was obtained was given, together with a statement that the Local Health Trust had not sought a contribution from S106 funding originally). BH explained that S106 funding would be released in tranches and expressed a belief that the Local Health Authority may be able to apply for funding once the second tranche of S106 funding had been released. District Cllr Terry Glastonbury explained that approximately 100,000 of S106 funding had been lost for highway schemes and affordable housing and briefly explained that in the future S106 funding would be replaced with a system which would be based on square footage Community Infrastructure Levy. Mr Midgley The traffic in Bream Road is a real problem both in terms of speed of traffic and also in the vicinity of Lydney C of E School the sun blinds drivers. Concerns have been raised with both Gloucestershire Police and the Forest of Dean District Council. Are you able to provide an assurance that this is something which the NDP Steering Group are looking at? Gloucestershire Police have stated that no action would be taken until an accident occurred. AP I have raised this question at a meeting of Forest of Dean District Council as I believe that the problem has been exacerbated by the introduction of car park charges. District Cllr Brian Robinson has been requested to come to the Town to view the problems which are being experienced and WO will endeavour to follow this up. I would also question where the S106 funding which had been secured from the Tesco development to improve the Bream Road junction has gone. Responding, District Cllr Glastonbury informed members that 25 years ago he was forced to move out of his business premises in the area as it was not possible to extend the lease beyond three years and stated that no improvements would be made to the junction until funding from S106 agreements had been received. 16

17 Mrs Walker I note from the Planning Application for the Hitchins development that funding was made available for improving Bream Road junction. Who applies for said funding? WO Agreed with the statements made about Bream Road junction and reminded all present of the work undertaken by Lydney Town Council to reduce the speed limit between Lydney and Aylburton. Despite the best efforts of the Council the speed limit was only reduced following a fatality. A meeting has taken place with Gloucestershire Highways to discuss the Bream Road junction and it is felt that a further meeting needs to take place at an appropriate time to view the traffic problems. Mrs Walker No signs have yet to be erected to denote the 20 mph speed limit for the Town. WO Lydney Town Council requested that the 20 mph zone be extended to include Lydney Hospital, however, the Council was informed that this would not be possible. JS then proceeded to provide an explanation as to how S106 agreements were negotiated between developers and the Forest of Dean District Council and how such funding was then released (i.e. via agreed trigger points). JS stressed that the NDP would need to address such negotiations from a different point given that introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). DB advised that Gloucestershire County Council had bid for 1.5m to improve the Bream Road junction and the best estimate was that it would take 10 years before funding was received. District Cllr Glastonbury was asked to check and then advise further on this point. Mrs Walker I am concerned over the lack of adult education classes in the Town during the evening. Would it be possible to include such provision in the NDP? BP I will ensure that the Steering Group discuss your comment at a future meeting. Education figures highly on our list of priorities. Mrs Walker Are you able to do anything about the number of seagulls which are appearing in the Town? BP This matter will be added to the NDP agenda. Mr Reeves Are there any plans to improve the access road/lighting leading from the new Oakdale development into Town? The lack of lighting/poor road surface is of real concern to residents on the development. Town Councillor James advised that she had attended a meeting with the developer and Gloucestershire County Council at which she had been informed that due to a funding issue no expenditure would be undertaken until the second phase of the development. AP advised that Mr P Williams, Group Manager Planning and Housing, had confirmed that the issue was now being investigated by Planning Enforcement Officers and that a District Council Cabinet member had authorised Mr Williams to take action. Mr Nelmes We had been informed that the above route was to be restricted to a bus lane and pedestrian route and would include CCTV cameras. However, nothing has happened and the developer has stated that the issue has been sorted out with the District Council. District Cllr Bevan advised that Gloucestershire Highways had agreed to erect signage to prevent lorries from attempting to access the route and he highlighted the problems experienced by lorries attempting to make deliveries to Federal Mogul who were directed to the rear site entrance by their sat navs. 17

18 Ms Harmin Regarding the Right to Bid, does the NDP have funding? What is its budget? BP The NDP Steering Group have a small budget for the NDP. However, Forest of Dean District Council will bid for 25,000 funding from the Government to facilitate NDPs. It is also hoped that rather than funding the redesign of the area itself, the Council could work in partnership with landowners and could apply for grants to contribute towards the cost of the improvements. Discussion has also taken place over the possibility of a major supermarket assisting with the redesign of the area. Lydney needs to demonstrate that it has a vibrant Town Centre in order to attract employers to the area and make our community sustainable. Mr Harmin Agreed that the introduction of car park charging has had a detrimental effect as people simply aren t coming into the Town. Mr Bennett Voiced agreement that the introduction of car parking charges has not helped the Town, which he saw to be dying on its feet. Furthermore, a view was expressed that an out of Town supermarket would further add to the demise of the Town Centre and he felt that it may take a large degree of work to get the Town back. Mr Leppington When will we be able to have constructive information? I would like to see increased employment provision and industrial units. How can I get involved? BP The NDP Steering Group is operated as a democracy and all members of the public are welcome to attend. Interested parties may attend on an ad hoc basis, or may wish to join the Steering Group. A number of good points were raised tonight and the NDP Steering Group now need to put the detail into the plan. From discussions with Mr Peter Hibberd, Strategic Director, Forest of Dean District Council, we believe that the Town needs an Investment Forum to attract employers to the area. We also believe that via the Forum it may be possible to gain improvements in healthcare and education provision. However, we feel that the improvement of the Town Centre to be a key factor and we will be looking towards local businessmen to assist in this process. Mrs Walker Please do not focus solely on Newerne Street as other area need investment too. Could you also include improvements to the River Lyd? The road surface through the Town is disgusting and no action has been taken, despite reporting the problem. JS Please lobby your County Councillor, David Cooksley. Please also report potholes direct via the Gloucestershire County Council weblink. Mrs Walker I have, but have not received a response. MH Please contact my office if you have difficulties in obtaining a response. AP thanked MH for attending the meeting and he emphasised the need to embrace Localism. AP also advised that the Town Council were shortly to consider a policy on renewable energy. Noting that the Conservative manifesto promised a referendum on issues which were important to people, AP questioned what progress had been made on this matter. MH We want to make sure that the process works and Forest of Dean District Council have been encouraged to engage with the process. I will provide a written response to the Town Council regarding the referendum status. Mr James The Welsh Development Agency are encouraging businesses to relocate to Wales through the provision of grants. I feel that England should adopt a similar system and we are so close to the Welsh boarder companies are given every incentive to relocate to Wales. Funding was given to Cinderford as a result of the Coalfield Regeneration Scheme, however, no funding was given to Lydney despite the fact that coal exited the Forest via Lydney. I welcome development which provides job opportunities to young people. 18

19 Ms Jones Is the Town going to be pedestrianized and will there be a cycle route between Lydney and Parkend? BP We are not sure on any plans to pedestrianize the Town, however, the NDP Steering Group received a presentation from Mr Dave Lucas on plans to create a cycle route from Primrose Hill to Parkend. Mr Lucas hoped to be able to utilise the Olympic legacy. Ms Jones Norchard do not want a cycle route close to the railway track, so would land need to be compulsory purchased? BP I will get back to you on this point, however, as in all areas what helps immensely is for all the community to want to improve services, therefore, the NDP fully intends to involve all local organisations so they are familiar with our aims/objectives. Mr Turner A safe crossing point is needed for the railway line. An accident is waiting to happen as last week 6-8 young people ran across the line. Please do something. Mr Midgley A lot of funding is given to Monmouthshire to promote tourism however, Lydney does not receive anything. The One Stop Shop, which provided a wealth of information, has been closed by the District Council. Will the NDP Steering Group focus on tourism too? BP Yes, it is part of the brief, by improving the Town s image we automatically increase footfall. Q (No name given) Would it be possible to improve signage in the Town? Visitors would not know of the lake/lydney Docks/etc. Ms Kate Wyatt, Community Engagement Officer, Forest of Dean District Council advised that the question of signage had arisen at a number of meetings which she had attended, in addition to cycling routes. It was felt that funding for new signage may be available if the Town became a Walkers are Welcome venue and Ms Wyatt stressed that the Town Council were committed to improving signage. It was noted that the Town Council were already addressing/improving the Town s gateways with new signage ordered and the approaches recently planted. Q (No name given) Can you please explain the difference between Lydney Area Action Plan, a Neighbourhood Development Plan and Turning the Tide. Why has no action taken place? BP The Localism Act now provides an opportunity for members of the public to influence change. Whilst the NDP will be aspirational, we will be able to justify turning the vision into reality. Turning the Tide contained a lot of useful information on which we can build, however, it did not go to the next stage which we now aim to address with your help, assistance and support. MH Once the NDP has been subjected to a referendum it becomes a Statutory Planning Document (i.e. it has legal power) which will be used to shape Lydney s future. Meeting closed at 8.03 pm. 19

20 Appendix Three Lydney NDP Publicity Example of the cover letter sent to local groups with a copy of the Lydney Draft Plan, two comments sheets and a stamp addressed envelope for their replies. Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan, C/O Council Chambers, Claremont House, High Street, Lydney, GL15 5DX 11 th September 20 Dear Parish Council, Lydney is developing a community-led Neighbourhood Development Plan which will focus on local planning and how the Town is to develop in the next twenty years ( ). Neighbourhood Development Plan s (NDP) introduced under The Localism Act 2011 provide the opportunity for communities to become involved in shaping the future of their community. The document, once it has been independently examined and passed a public referendum, then becomes a statutory planning document in its own right. Localism encompasses communities working with local authorities, developers and other stakeholders ensuring economical social well being and sustainability. In January 20 a Town meeting was held in Lydney Town Hall highlighting the issues affecting Lydney, from which the NDP Community Steering Group has developed a Draft Plan. The Draft Plan is now readily available and forms part of the public consultation and we would like to invite you to attend one of the meetings in order that you may continue to have a valid input on how it affects your group and Lydney as a whole. The meetings will be held on: Wednesday 2 nd October 20 at 7pm in Lydney Community Centre, Naas Lane, Lydney & Tuesday 8 th October 20 at 7pm in The Annex Inn, Newerne St, Lydney The Draft Plan can also be viewed on the website or via lydneyplan on Facebook and hard copies are available from Lydney Town Council. All comments on the draft to be received before 22 nd November 20. We look forward to meeting you soon, Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan Community Steering Group 20

21 Appendix Four A scan of the Lydney NDP website home page Google Analytics report showing the website views during the Public Consultation period 21

22 Appendix Five List of Consultees A-Z List of Recipients of the Draft Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan Absolute Hairdressers Age Concern Charity Shop Age UK Charity Shop All About Eve All Saints Parish Church Alvington Parish Council Armstrong & North Opticians Awre Parish Council Aylburton CofE Aylburton Parish Council Bah Hambug Big Red Barn Blaisdon Parish Council Blakeney Primary School Body Blitz Bohemia Salon & Spa Bream CofE Brian Watkins - Gloucestershire Highways, British Waterways: South Wales and Severn Waterways, Canal & River Trust, Bromsberrow Parish Council Buhara Cafe & Take Away Campaign for Rural England Cats Eye Carving, Taurus Crafts Cats Protection CharityShop Churcham Parish Council Cinderford Town Council Civil Aviation Authority Clearwell Cof E Cllr A Preest Cllr J Bevan Cllr J Davis Cllr M Winship Cllr T Glastonbury Cllr V Hobman Cllr W Osborne Club Ginger Helath & Fitness Club 22

23 A-Z List of Recipients (Page 2) Coal Authority Coinros Garden Centre, Taurus Crafts Coleford Town Council Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment: Peter Karpinski Corse Parish Council County Archaeological Officers County Meats Butchers Crown Estate Commissioners David Kear Optician Dean Academy Department for Culture Media and Sport Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Department for Transport Department of Energy and Climate Change DK Furnishings Dr Hamilton & Partners Severnbank Surgery Dr Martin Gibbs & Partners Drainage Board Drs Andrews, Edwards, Hayes & Cleary Drybrook Parish Council Dymock Parish Council English Bicknor Parish Council English Heritage Environment Agency Essential Hair Salon Forest of Dean Allotment Association Forest of Dean District Council Forest of Dean Local Action Group Forest of Dean Railway Ltd Forest of Dean Sea Cadets Forest of Dean Transition Forest Woodburner Forestry Commission Friends of Bathurst pool Friends of Lydney Hospital Friends of the Earth Forest of Dean Garden History Society Gilpin's Marshalls Autoparts Gloucestershire County Council Gloucestershire County Council Highways: Shire 23

24 A-Z List of Recipients (Page 3) Gloucestershire Rural Community Council Gorsley & Kilcot Parish Council Greater London Authority Greenman Leather, Taurus Crafts Hairways Hairdressers Hands Off Our Forest Harbour Cafe Harbour Cafe, Harbour Industrial Estate Hartbury Parish Council Health & Safety Executive Health Authorities and Agencies Hewelsfield and Brockwier Parish Council Highways Agency Hot Stuff Housing Associaton & Trusts HSBC Huntley Parish Council Indigo, Taurus Crafts Kaplans Cafe Kear & Ku, Taurus Crafts Kempley Parish Council Kit & Cabbodle KJT Resdiential Estate Agents Library Littledean Parish Council Littledean Parish Council Lloyds Bank Lloyds Pharmacy Local Authority Environmental Health Officers Longhope Parish Council Lydbrook Parish Council Lydney & District Dramatic Society Lydney Angling Club Lydney Area in Partnrship Lydney Baptist Church Lydney Bowling Club Lydney Christian Fellowship Lydney CofE Primary School Lydney Community Centre Lydney Community Fire and Rescue Station Lydney Cricket Club 24

25 A-Z List of Recipients (Page 4) Lydney Festival Lydney Football Club Lydney Forest Leisure Lydney French Twinning Association Lydney Park Estates FAO Lord Bledisloe Lydney Park Estates FAO Mr Frankton Lydney Police Station Lydney Police Station Lydney Practice Lydney Rugby Football Club Lydney Tennis Club Lydney Town Hall Trust Management Committee Lydney War Memorial Trust Lydney Women's Institute Lydney Yacht Club Lydney Youth Council Martins Methodist Church Lydney Ministry of Defence Mitcheldean Parish Council Mitcheldean Parish Council Motor World MP Mark Harper National Air Control Transport Services and Operators of Officially Safeguarded Civil Aerodromes Natural England Natwest Neds Top Resident's Action Group Network Rail Newent Parish Council Newent Town Council Newland Parish Council Newnham Parish Council Newnham Parish Council Nutkin Nursery Oakdale Links Oxenhall Parish Council Parkend Primary School Pauntley Parish Council Picture Cards, Taurus Crafts Pilkingtons Estate Agents 25

26 A-Z List of Recipients (Page 5) Pillowell Community Primary School Pillowell Methodist Church Police Architectural Liaison Officers and Crime Prevention Design Advisers Polish Nail Salon Pop In Cafe Poppies Flower Shop Pottery, Taurus Crafts Primrose Hill CofE Raymond's Stores Razor Hairdressers Redmarley Parish Council River Childrens Centre Rodley House Royal British legion Ruardean Parish Council Ruardean Parish Council Rudford & Soudley Parish Council Santander/Bidmead Estate Agents Sevenbanks Primary Banks Severn River Crossing Plc Spectrum Licensing Sport England St Briavels Cof E St Briavels Parish Council St Pauls Church St. James Church (Bream) St. Mary the Virgin & Holy Trinity Church of England Staunton (Coleford) Parish Council Staunton (Corse) Parish Council Taurus Carfts Cafe Taurus crafts coffee shop Taurus Crafts Gift Shop Taurus Crafts office Taylor Jewllers Tayton Parish Council The Annexe Inn The Briars Care Home The Byre Care Home The Card Box The Coffee House 26

27 A-Z List of Recipients (Page 6) The Coffee Shop, Bathurst Park The Coventry The Dressing Rooms The Factory Shop The Forest Foodbank The Forest Voice The Lydney Cluster Welcome Project The Real Deal The Theatres Trust The Vibe Youth Cafe The Victoria Centre The Wye Valley Practice Thompson & Thompson Garage, Highfield Road Tibberton Parish Council Tidenham Parish Council Top to Toes Tucker Sandwich Bar Tuckers Cafe Two Rivers Housing (The Springs & Watermead) United Benefice Of Parkend & Viney Hill Upleadon Parish Council Veranda, Taurus Crafts Village Agent - Lydney (Mike Morgan) Village Agent - Lydney (Richard Skinner) Wales and West Utilities Waste Disposal Authorities Water and Sewerage Undertakers Welsh Water West Dean Parish Council Westbury on Severn Parish Council Western Power Distribution William Hill Betting Shop Willowdean Card Shop Woolaston & Alvington & Aylburton Church Woolaston Parish Council Worx Hairdressers Yorkley Primary School Zelish Hair Salon Zizzo/Imagetec 27

28 Appendix Six Public Consultation Feedback Date Name Comments NDP Outcome Specific Action Comments received from Councillor Surgery Why build industrial units on other side of by-pass when we cant fill what we have now! Retail offering improvement. General improvement to be more welcoming for visitors. Acknowledged Lydney Town Centre Better selection of shops needed. Lydney Town Centre Traffic through the High Street. Highway and Pedestrian Infrastructure Access to Railway Platforms. Not specifically mentioned in NDP included in Network Rail Master Plan referenced in NDP Bus service is useless, needs improving. Highway and Pedestrian Infrastructure Leisure centre - loosing squash courts? Drainage on Rec Trust ground Not specifically mentioned in NDP but included within Water Management policy Allaston Development disruption during building and traffic thereafter Highway and Pedestrian Infrastructure Bream Road pollution worse now they've shut carpark and traffic terrible Highway and Pedestrian Infrastructure 28

29 Comment received from Councillor Surgery Upper road Pillowell - very large potholes and lots of them, 70yrs ago last tarmacked properly Outside remit of NDP Reffered to Town Council to follow-up? Culvert Augustus Way needs clearing Acknowledged Water Management Policy Street lights on path Highfield to Centurion Way Outside remit of NDP Reffered to Town Council to follow-up? Carparking - 1st hour free? Lydney Town Centre Leisure - sport - Medium/Long term plan for District Tesco and Bream Road junctions need improving Highway and Pedestrian Infrastructure Land behind Age Concern shop - Whats happening to it? Outside remit of NDP Hales corner - overgrowth covering pavement Outside remit of NDP Alice Knit No to pedestrinising Lydney - a retrograde step. Remove car parking tickets - free car parking enables people to shop for longer periods - it brings people/tourists. Reduce shop rates, this will induce new outlets. Encourage small retailers. We do not need any more supermarkets. Create one bedroom housing complex. Increase Lydney hospital facilities Dan Cook It seems like there has been a lot of good work done already, and well done to all concerned. As a resident of Greater Lydney (i.e. Pillowell) I can offer a perspective of someone who uses Lydney as a hub town, but is often frustrated in that ambition: 1) Getting to Lydney by bike is near impossible. I commuted down Forest Road for 6 months, and stopped essentially because of the fear of my imminent death on the roads. I see about 6 cyclists every day out of the car window now. Cycling is a big tourism draw, and Lydney has the only mainline railway station in the Forest. Get a level route through the Newerne St/Forest Rd route to Parkend to connect with the tourist cycling infrastructure this will bring more money into the area than it costs. It has to be a level route if you want to appeal to mainstream and leisure cyclists the Brockhollands route Various Points 1, 4 included. Points 2, 3, 5 limited inclusion 29

30 won t work. I am sure the Dean Forest Railway could use the extra tourist dollars, too, and might be persuaded to allow their site to be used, if it enhanced the visitor experience and numbers. 2) It is a great ambition to bring new employment (and especially hi-tech support industry) to the area. However, hitech firms need an educated workforce to be viable, and there is nothing in the plan as yet about higher, further, or even secondary education. There is no reason why we shouldn t be looking to create the education base that we need to keep skilled people in the area. Maybe we should have a strategy of building advanced education around some of the existing strengths in the area. We could also look to organisations like the Workers Educational Association to provide adult ed. in the area. A jobs strategy means having a bigger and better education strategy. 3) Pedestrianising the town centre is a no-brainer. Its people that spend money, not cars, so we need to give people a pleasant experience. Plus, pedestrianising the town will improve air quality, and a nice street scene will encourage businesses. We also need to ditch the parking charges. I was over in Wotton Under Edge the other day: 3 free car parks to choose from and a thriving high street. It is blindingly obvious that in small rural towns, free parking leads to increased pedestrian footfall and higher spending in shops. What they ve got, we can have too. 4) One big improvement that could be had for the buses is a service to Bristol. It s the regional big city, and we are the nearest Forest Town we should have a direct service there to allow people to commute. If it was easier to get to work in Bristol, more Foresters would, and the extra income in the area would benefit us all. 5) We ought to have a vision for local business development: start-up grants and free advice for new businesses that aim to improve the area. We could look to co-operative and social enterprise models to help keep jobs and money local, and give better value for money than businesses that send their profits out of the area Gary Wildin There does not appear to be clear definition of the areas of green spaces of community value. Plans defining the specific areas rather than vague desciption would be prefered Dave Walker There needs to be toilets located inthe harbour area. Many people who get off the steam train at lydney station, walk to the docks, and I have on many accasions been asked if there are toilets. These could be incorporated in a cafe/restaurant which is also desperately needed Environment Harbour 30

31 David Greaves The maps in the plan need to be clearer/larger Acknowledged Adapted/improved maps David Holmes Phoned to complain that the newsletter was sent too late to attend the public meetings (meetings on 2nd and 8th of October) Acknowledged Extented Consultation period Mr Payne Phoned to comment that the NDP Newsletter does not provide details of where to send letters to NDP Steer Group. Also wished to make sure that NDP Steer Group Members would be available for private meetings. Acknowledged Provided info Mrs Anne Knight Phoned and made comment that only received newsletter today (02.10.) and with the meeting tonight felt that it was sent too late. Also Public meetings have not been thought out as not considered how people will get there, transport issues, etc. Also requested a draft copy of the NDP booklet as cannot access internet. Acknowledged Extented Consultation period Mr Westlake Requested 2 x copies of the draft NDP booklet as cannot access internet. Acknowledged Sent 31

32 3.10. Sue Hillier I have just returned from attending the first consultation meeting at Naas Lane Community Centre and would like to give some feedback about the meeting. The notice about the meeting said 7pm so there was a good turnout of people who all arrived at 7pm. The meeting was not a meeting but a few display boards with comments on, so everyone was shuffling around trying to read these boards all at the same time. If this is the format you want why not say the exhibition would be on between 7pm-9pm then people would come at staggered time and would be able to access the information easily. If you leave the format as it is with everyone arriving at the same time, it would be beneficial if someone gave a short presentation about the aims of the project, how it is being funded, how much funds are likely to be available, and some of the options. Twenty minutes would have set the background and got the audience enthused to participate. We were advised to speak to a member of the steering group but I (and several people I spoke to), didn't know who was members of the group and who was the public. No-one had name badges on and there was no way of knowing who was who. People are very interested to know what is going on and by the turnout it looked like people wanted to engage but you are going to lose input and ideas if the format isn't conducive. Acknowledged Adapted following meeting to include feedback K Stephens Nothing specific about improving the A48. Where are the people n the 1900 houses expected to work?!? The A48 will become one long traffic jam from Chepstow to Gloucester unless something is done. This is effectively a small country road going into the City of Gloucester. Likewise, the statement about improving rail services is too vague. How many extra trains and when will this happen. We need these now rather than years time. Highway and Pedestrian Infrastructure Mr & Mrs Barber Post - Well laid out and explanatory document but found maps small and hard to read Acknowledged Adapted/improved maps Robin Hooper Good afternoon, as a regular visitor to Lydney over a period of 15 years and having carried out some retail consultancy around 6/7 years ago in the forest of dean I would like to offer some constructive comments re the Town centre, Before doing so my background one was one of Retail consultancy to the Acknowledged Town Centre 32

33 Independent Retail sector and in addition I managed 2 Retail groups of over 100 outlets throughout the UK. last year I put together a 20 page report on the retail sector, this was sent to the minister in charge at the time for retail and copies to the so called retail Guru Mary Portas. needless to say her report was a waste of time although she did well from the television channel. should you wish,i would be prepared to offer my suggestions in full to help the future of the forest towns at no cost,as i have now retired. WHAT Does concern me greatly, local authorities still continue to appoint town centre managers and re generation managers who have little or no experience on how to turn around retail. Next talk of pedestrianization, in smaller towns this is one of the quickest ways to put off locals, as well CAR PARK CHARGES, I have noted that since the introduction of charges the car parks are in the main very reduced in the number of spaces taken??? what ever you decide to act on, the retail sector needs urgent re education to, hold onto its current customer base, if it does not then shops will continue to close. failure by local authority to take a positive course of action now, you won,t need to look ahead because there will be little retail left. I do not intend to go into detail in this e mail,but offer you the opportunity to have a discussion with me to help the Retail sector, it will not be easy as the retailers will have to go through some re educating, act or LOOSE! From the public's perspective, may i say sometimes they cannot see the wood for the trees, creative people have a vision, I have seen many towns go down the same old routes only to end up in failure and much money spent. Because the nature of retailing has changed and will continue to do so,any course of action must be very soon. You must be aware that most retailers will rely on very good Christmas trade to carry them through the first 4/5 months of the following year. one last point, do not be fooled by supermarkets promising extra jobs, many are part time and they are rapidly encroaching on all aspects of taking trade from other retailers to such an extent that many trades cannot survive, express store are mini supermarkets, do not be fooled I hope my comments may help you with any plans being considered 33