5 October 2011

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

TOWN Councillors will be on the streets of East Grinstead for the next three Saturdays in the first stages of developing an evidence-based Neighbourhood Plan. The Plan will provide the vital influence in the planning process to help ensure OUR VOICE and OUR NEEDS help shape the long-term future of OUR TOWN.

As part of the process of delivering the town’s Plan, the Council will start by surveying the views of residents with a questionnaire drawn up on a range of general topics including housing, highways, business development, health and leisure.

Town Councillors will be in and around the town from 10am to 12.30pm at Wickendens in the High Street, outside Sainsbury’s and in Queens Walk, to distribute questionnaires and invite views and comments from everyone who lives and works in the area.

The survey starts on Saturday 8 October and runs over the following two Saturdays, 15 and 22 October.

The questionnaires will also be available to download or complete on-line on the Neighbourhood Plan page. The closing date when questionnaires must be completed is 31 October 2011.

Chairman of the Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan Working Group Cllr Heidi Brunsdon said:

“Our survey is a great opportunity to get involved in the early stages of the town’s Plan – a Plan which belongs to the community, is prepared by our community and delivered by the community.

”East Grinstead Town Council is looking for a Plan which reflects the views of all sections of our community, identifies which features and local characteristics we value, highlights our local problems and opportunities, and sets out what we want for the future.Once the results of the survey are analysed, the Council hopes to provide a survey feedback event, which will be an opportunity to discuss the results, the issues they raise and to influence the next stage of the Plan. Ultimately the Neighbourhood Plan will form part of the Mid Sussex District Plan for development in the District.