Moving forward with Mossley neighbourhood plan

Mossley Town Council has approved a start on a new Neighbourhood Plan.

A recent town council meeting discussed the proposals which allows residents and businesses to have a direct say on how their town develops.

The idea has been taken up by many areas across the country as a way for parish, town councils or neighbourhood groups, to shape their own area.

The Neighbourhood Plan is about development, architecture, housing and the use of land and buildings, the environment, heritage and issues similar to planning concerns people are familiar with. It can also go further and not only look at a whole range of concerns, but also new ideas.

Helen Jamison, a new member of Mossley Town Council, said: “This gives us all a real opportunity to not only look at the planning issues, but how we as a community work together on our shared aspirations.”

Chair of the town council Frank Travis said: “I want people to get behind this. We need to be positive, innovative, but realistic. 

“This is not an easy task, there will need to be a lot of cooperation from within our community, but the result could be so good for how we think and act as a whole.”

Vice Chair Idu Miah added that he was pleased that this was an opportunity for the community to develop a ‘new shared vision for Mossley.’

The Neighbourhood Plan will be developed with the local community. It then has to be approved by Tameside Council as the local planning authority, before being put to public vote. 

The town council said the scheme will open up consultation and awareness for people to express their views.

Cllr Travis said: “The process and the plan is not about saying ‘no’ to development, but how we can work with the community, organisations, developers, experts in their own fields, the Local Planning Authority, to achieve a workable plan to take forward that wider vision.”

On the time-scale for the plan, another new councillor, James Hall said: “I know that this will take time and commitment and we will have to learn about how to effectively work together to deliver this as soon as we can. It has real potential and I know that the work can really pay off. ”

Mossley Town Council will receive ongoing support from Tameside.

Main image:

A general view of Mossley. Photo: Nigel Wood. 

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