Newtown is to become the first community in Powys to launch a 'Place Plan' allowing the community to get more involved in land-use, planning and developments.
Newtown Town Council has announced the after Place Plans were recently introduced by Welsh Government as a way of encouraging greater community engagement in local planning decision making.
The Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Place Plan will be the first one of its kind in the Powys planning authority area and local residents will have the opportunity to contribute to it via a survey and a series of public events to be announced in the Spring.
The main focus of the plan is land-use, town planning and development, however, it will also highlight wider issues of local concern and help set priorities for how funds are spent in the future.
Cllr Richard Edwards said: "We hope that as many local people as possible get involved in putting this plan together.
"It will influence what happens in the town over the next 10-15 years and has a much wider remit than the Town Council’s own five year plan. It will contain planning guidance that will go to Powys County Council for formal adoption. The views and evidence we collect will also be vital in attracting investment into the town, such as the recent £1.1 million lottery funding”.
The Place Plan work is led by Newtown Town Council and supported by Powys County Council Planning and Regeneration Departments.
Cabinet Member for Economy and Planning, Councillor Martin Weale said: “The County Council is pleased to support the Town Council in the preparation of the first place plan in Powys planning area and the opportunity this provides to support the ongoing regeneration of Newtown.”
The project is also supported by Place Plan specialists Planning Aid Wales and Place Studio. They said: “As project consultants, we are excited to be supporting Newtown Town Council and to be working directly with local community groups and residents in Newtown over the coming months.
"A Place Plan is an important document that allows the community to influence decisions about the future of their area and we are pleased to be part of the project team helping to take it forward."
