12th October 2011

BEAMINSTER: Town plan up for discussion

By Tom Glover

the RESIDENTS of Beaminster can have their say on the future of the town by sharing their views at consultation events next month.

Beaminster Town Council is looking to update the Beaminster Town Plan, which was last reviewed in 2003.

The Town Plan is a community led project, which outlines the key areas for improvement in the town with proposals for how they can be enhanced.

There will be three consultation events in November for residents to share their initial views with the intention to then form a steering group, made up of members of the community, which will put together a plan compiled from the results of questionnaires to residents.

The previous plan looked to make changes in six key areas: community services; affordable housing; arts, sports and culture; town square and shop; young people’s facilities; and traffic management.

Beaminster town councillor Janet Page was on the council the last two times the plan was reviewed.

“I think we have done most of what we had in the last town plan, I looked at it the other day and there is very little we haven’t finished,” she said.

“It is definitely worth people coming forward and having their say. Do they want more industry or less in the town, do they want to see more affordable housing or better bus services, which is a hot potato at the moment.

“One thing we didn’t achieve last time was getting an NHS dentist in the town, I think we were too small, but you’ve got to try. If they say no, then you’re lumbered with what you already have, but if they say maybe, then you can fight for it.

“We want to hear everything, not just the big ideas but the little things as well. Last time around people asked for clearer bus timetables because it wasn’t always easy to read the ones we had, and I think they have improved.”

To start off the process, suggestion boards will be put up at the Public Hall and residents are invited to come and have their say from Thursday, November 3rd until Saturday November 5th.

Residents will able to make their suggestions from 8:30am to 1:30pm and 5pm to 7pm on both Thursday and Friday. On Saturday the hall will be open from 9am to 12 noon.

Beaminster Town Clerk Christine Bright, said: “Putting together the new Beaminster Town Plan needs to be community led – it needs residents to take part so that the town has a say on its future needs.

“These sessions are open for all to come in and put forward their comments and suggestions under a number of headings.”

After the consultation the results will be collated and a further public meeting will take place at 7pm on Thursday, November 24th in the Public Hall, with a view to appointing a Town Plan Steering Group.

For further information please contact the Town Clerk on 01308 863634 or email [email protected]

Beaminster residents can vist the Public Hall and share their views on the following dates:

Thursday, November 3rd: 8.30am – 1.30pm and 5pm - 7pm

Friday, November 4th: 8.30am – 1.30pm and 5pm - 7pm

Saturday, November 5th: 9am – 12noon