CAMPAIGNERS working on a new neighbourhood plan for Lymm are gathering evidence on what is important to residents.

Work has started on developing the plan which will give residents a legally-enforceable say on the future.

It will then be used as a reference point for all future planning applications in the area.

Lymm Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, set up with the help of Lymm Parish Council, has been awarded £4,365 from the government towards the cost of consultancy support and printing.

The grant will enable the working group to produce a vision statement and a detailed questionnaire.

The resulting vision statement will cover what residents hope the area will look like, what facilities will be needed and what Lymm will be like in the future to both live and work in.

This vision will play an important role in the development of the neighbourhood plan.

Jonathan Foreman, deputy chairman of the group, said: “Our next steps are to start gathering evidence on the five main themes of ‘environment, design and character’, ‘housing’, ‘community, leisure and wellbeing’, ‘economy and employment’ and ‘transport’.

“We need a site for a permanent display in the village, so that those without internet access are kept informed.

“We also need to create an email database so we can keep residents up to date with events.

“We rely on the involvement of as many volunteers as possible to collect information towards developing the plan.

“We want to identify what is important to residents including the types of homes they will want in the future, employment opportunities and community facilities needed.”

The working group will also create, print and distribute a newsletter which will report on the opinions, hopes and aspirations collected and will be an opportunity to publish the proposed vision statement for Lymm.

The working group is run entirely by volunteers who aim ensure the community’s wishes are heard when planning applications are considered.

  •  If you would like to offer your help in any way please contact the group through the website at lymmplan.org.