Inaugural Meeting - 12th September

Thank you for your interest in the Waltham Abbey Neighbourhood Plan (WANP)
 
We are still very early in the project, so now is a great time to get involved.
 
As you know the Neighbourhood Plan is part of the new approach to planning, which aims to give local people more say about what goes on in their area. The planning process ensures that local people are involved in the choices that will help to shape our neighbourhood, and set out a vision for the area that reflects the views and feelings of local people with a real interest in their community.
 
We have, so far, setup a Steering Group made up predominantly of local town and district councillors. Their role is to:
•    define the vision and objectives for the Neighbourhood Plan
•    define the scope of work needed to develop the WANP
•    develop a project plan and communications plan for delivery of the WANP
•    identify and enlist volunteers to staff the working groups
•    manage resources and budget to deliver the WANP; apply for grant support as appropriate
•    resolve conflicting views across working group areas of interest
•    report on progress to Waltham Abbey Town Council
•    maintain communications and collaboration with Epping Forest District Council planners
•    identify external resources, if required, to assist or advise on WANP presentation
The Steering Group meets at the Town Hall on the first Friday of each Month.
 
The next step is to hold an inaugural meeting of all the volunteers to establish the WANP Committee; This is to be  held at the Town Hall on the 12th September at 7:30pm, So make a note in your diary now!
 
This inaugural meeting aims to achieve three things:
1.    Identify the key themes that will make up the Vision for Waltham Abbey
2.    Identify the objectives for the plan
3.    Identify and elect those volunteers who wish to sit on the WANP committee 
 
At the meeting the intention is to break off into different workgroups, each workgroup focussing on a particular aspect of Waltham Abbey that might be considered as integral to the Neighbourhood Plan. The objective for each group is to:
•    Identify what would be 'the vision' for just their groups aspect of the plan
•    Identify objectives for their group
 
Hopefully we will have enough volunteers to be able to form the following groups:
1.    Housing Need
2.    Build environ (Style guide)
3.    Tourism & Historic Waltham Abbey
4.    Leisure & Recreation
5.    Commercial (Retail, Business & Industry)
6.    Community Facilities
7.    Transport
8.    Education Facilities
 
Following on from the workgroup discussions the intention is to then as a group decide
•    Which areas should be the main emphasis of the plan
•    What is felt to be the key 'visions' for the WANP
•    Which of the objectives should be carried forward
 
Finally, having decided on what our main themes or areas of focus are to be, we will be seeking volunteers to take their place on the WANP committee, one member for each of the workgroup themes
 
Make no mistake, if you decide you wish to take part in the making of this plan, it will take up a considerable amount of your time. But, it will be extremely interesting, challenging and we hope ultimately rewarding. Our best estimates at the moment is that the WANP will take approximately 18 months to draft.
 
So, once again thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you on the 12th September, so that we can get started.