More than 130 people went to Poynton Civic Centre on Saturday morning, as the initial feedback from the Poynton Neighbourhood Plan Survey was presented, at an open morning and exhibition, with newly re-elected local MP, David Rutley, among those present.
Poynton’s Neighbourhood Plan will set out what development and facilities local people consider would be suitable for Poynton. The subject areas covered at the exhibition included housing, local business, the economy, the environment, transport and health & wellbeing. The views of residents, organisations and businesses were requested to make sure that everyone has a chance to get involved and contribute. Poynton Town Council was delighted to receive over 1,600 survey responses.
One notable piece of feedback from the survey was the strong desire to retain Green Belt land, and stop inappropriate developments taking place in the area. Instead, the feedback demonstrates a wish to follow a brownfield first policy, which is favoured by the Town Council.
The Neighbourhood Plan, once agreed and in place, will provide a legally binding basis on which to guide the scale and nature of development in Poynton for many years to come. The Plan will also have statutory authority and developers, planning officers and others will need be guided by it.
Speaking after the event, David said, “It is great to see so many local residents in attendance, showing an ongoing, strong interest in Poynton’s future plans. Neighbourhood Plan volunteers, in cooperation with Poynton Town Council, are working hard to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to participate in this survey, and I am pleased that so many have taken up the offer. I am most grateful to all the volunteers for the work they are doing to get this important Plan in place. They have my full support.”