Have your say on the future of Upton

How is the Upton area going to change and develop by 2030? An opportunity to help shape the future of their community is being offered to residents of Upton, Bache and Moston, and any others with an interest in the area.

A draft Neighbourhood Development Plan for the area has been drawn up by a team of parish councillors and local residents on behalf of Upton by Chester & District Parish Council. From February 8 th until March 22nd they are asking for comments from the public on their proposals.

Neighbourhood Plans give local communities the chance to influence which planning applications in their area will be approved, and which will be refused. They have to be taken into account by planning officers and councillors when these decisions are made.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the usual ways of consulting people are not available. The easiest way for people to find out about the plan and comment on it is through the Upton Parish Council website at:

https://www.uptonbychester.org.uk/consultation-information--plan.html

For those who wish to get information or respond on paper, this can be arranged in a “Covidsecure” way by phoning the Neighbourhood Plan team on 07734-768147 after 8th February.

Parish Councillor Jean Evans, who chairs the Neighbourhood Plan Group, commented:

“Commenting on this plan is a real opportunity for local people to have an influence on how the Upton area will develop over the next ten years. Our team of councillors and local residents has spent many hours over several years working on the plan, in consultation with the community. We are keen to make sure that what we are putting forward has the support of our community.

It's a real challenge to get the word around and engage with the community during the current pandemic, but we’re using every method we can think of. One of the most exciting and novel is a short drone video to show Upton as people have never seen it before, from a A Neighbourhood Development Plan for Upton, Bache and Moston birds’ eye perspective. It was filmed during January, and we’re putting it out on social media and video screens around Upton from early February”.

Following the consultation the team will revise the plan, taking the responses into account. It will then be passed to an examiner who will check that it conforms with local and national planning policies. Finally, there will be a referendum of Upton residents who must approve the plan before it comes into force.

For further information contact:

Sue Stanley 01244 382184 or sue.stanley@upton2030.org.uk Facebook: Your Upton 2030