ALCESTER residents have received a summary document outlining the key aspects of the town’s proposed neighbourhood development plan, writes Ryan Hesketh.
The blueprint outlines the policies that will guide land use and planning applications until 2031.
It covers areas ranging from housing need to Alcester’s economy, leisure and the community’s well-being.
If given the green light by Stratford District Council, the authority must consult the policies when making its planning decisions.
Among the document’s aims is to ensure Alcester remains ‘an attractive thriving rural town with a valued historic character’.
It also stressed the need for a wide range of high quality housing and good opportunities for business, local employment, education and recreation.
It contains a ‘core strategy’ for 530 new houses.
However, less than half of the proposed homes will be the one to two-bedroom houses often favoured by both younger people and older residents.
The UK’s population is predicted to grow by 7.5 per cent by 2031 by which time the Office National Statistics estimates 32 per cent of the people in the Alcester area will be over 65 – around 2,500 senior citizens.
Alcester residents can now give their feedback on the plan, and decide whether it reflects their vision of the Alcester of tomorrow.
Visit https://www.alcester-tc.gov.uk/ to view the full development plan.
Feedback can be given via the questionnaire attached to the back of the summary document which residents should have received and can be returned to Alcester Library, St Nicholas’ church or the Alcester Health centre.
Alternatively, people can email [email protected] with completed questionnaires and any feedback.
