Residents get a say in future

Sep 25 2007 by Dave Black, The Journal

PEOPLE in a Northumberland market town will play a key role in the development of a major new blueprint aimed at improving its economy, social life and environment.

Work has just started on drawing up the Morpeth Town Plan, which is due to be made public in spring 2009 following extensive research and consultations involving the local community.

The document will be prepared by Morpeth Town Council, which has set up a steering group of members to kick-start the process and will later co-opt local residents and representatives of key community organisations as the plan develops towards its final stages.

The plan will aim to identify a series of achievable projects which will tackle a range of problems and issues affecting the town, from its social fabric to the local environment. Its launch comes as Morpeth is preparing to see shopping and other facilities in its historic town centre transformed in a £30m retail and office development by Yorkshire-based company Dransfield Properties.

The ageing Sanderson Arcade and Back Riggs retail area will be replaced by a new 24-unit Edwardian-style shopping mall.

There will also be an extended Morrisons supermarket, a new transport interchange, a high quality office development and a petrol station.

Now the town council wants to play its own part in the future development of Morpeth by creating a planning blueprint aimed at complementing other work being carried out there.

Vice-chairman Ken Brown, who is heading up the town plan steering group, said: “The Morpeth Town Plan won’t just be another survey and a report.

“It will be a series of projects that draws together the identified needs of the community, addresses their feasibility and looks at how and when they can be implemented.

“It will link in with existing or future strategies from organisations that have an impact on the development of services and facilities in Morpeth.

“It is a vital part of the plan’s development that people in the community contribute to it, and a number of opportunities to do so will become available.”

The town council will soon launch research with a number of local organisations, followed by public consultations featuring open events where local people can make their views known.

There will also be a comprehensive survey of local needs.

The steering group will assess all candidate projects for their impact, priority and sustainability, and devise a delivery framework.