Special exhibition on the future of Princes Risborough – 19th/20th September 2014
Wycombe District Council is asking local people to play a part in shaping the future of Princes Risborough by visiting a special exhibition at Princes Risborough Community Centre next week.
The event will take place on Friday 19th September 2014 between 5.30pm and 8pm; and Saturday 20th September 2014 between 10.30am and 6.00pm at Risborough Community Centre, Stratton Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9BH. The venue is fully accessible for people with disabilities, and children and buggies are welcome.
The exhibition marks the start of technical feasibility studies which follows on from options outlined earlier this year as part of the Council’s Local Plan consultation. Feedback from local residents showed that local residents have concerns about the idea of significant expansion of Princes Risborough. The studies will look in detail at the challenges which lie ahead and how benefits might be brought to the town.
At the exhibition, local people can
- see the work that has been done to look at options so far
- see a range of different options which explore ways in which the town might grow in the future
- talk directly to planners and local representatives
In addition, there will be themed workshop sessions running on Saturday focusing on specific issues:
- 11.00am to 12.00pm Landscape, Ecology and Flooding
- 1.30pm to 2.30pm Movement and Transport
- 3.00pm to 4.00pm Facilities and Community Spaces
- 4.30pm to 5.30pm Defining Character
Staff and councillors from Wycombe District Council, Princes Risborough Town Council as well as consultants working on the project will all be on hand to answer questions and hear what you have to say about the proposals.
Cllr Neil Marshall, Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability at Wycombe District Council said: ‘Councils up and down the country are facing challenging times with the recent changes which have been made in national planning, where there is now a ‘presumption in favour’ of development. We care deeply about Wycombe District and we are determined to fight to keep as much local control as we can over our local planning decisions. We can only do that by showing national planning inspectors that we are taking local control to be progressive – planning to deliver local growth for the future so that we can then also protect the special character of Wycombe District. The drop in event in Princes Risborough is the beginning of a local dialogue where we are setting out the problem and being open, asking local people to work with us to find the best solutions to managing our growth.‘
The feasibility study work is being carried out to ensure there is a strong local framework in place to both help shape the future and also retain the character of the town centre. It will look in detail at specific local issues, infrastructure needs and planning constraints and will explore potential housing allocations which could see up to 2,500 new homes being built in and around the town.
If you cannot attend, the exhibition will also be on the Council’s website and you can contribute your views on-line until Monday 29th September 2014. In addition the Risborough Information Centre at Tower Court, Horns Lane, Princes Risborough, HP27 0AJ will have copies of all the reports, research and information relating to this work available for people to see. Please call 01844 274795 to check opening times and availability.
