There's still time to have your say in shaping the future of Wilmslow.
More than 800 responses have been received on the Draft Wilmslow Vision document so far – but there is still time for more people to have their say as the two-month-long public consultation period runs until Thursday, May 31st.
Cheshire East Council is urging the people of Wilmslow not to miss out on giving their views on the controversial document which will help set out possible development options for Wilmslow and its wider area over the next 20 years.
The Wilmslow Vision will feed into the Local Plan – which will guide the development of all Cheshire East towns, villages and countryside up to 2030.
The Draft Wilmslow Vision shows potential proposals for discussion – including town centre environment improvements, potential areas for new housing and employment, improved and sustainable integrated transport connections and priorities for investment in schools, open spaces, roads, health and leisure.
The most controversial element of the document is the suggestion that up to 1500 new homes will be built in Wilmslow, mainly on green belt land, by 2030.
Soon after the release of the Draft Wilmslow Vision independent resident groups in different parts of the town swung into action to raise awareness of the potential danger of losing green belt land to houses. They leafleted homes, created websites, held public meetings to which councillors were invited and set up two e-Petitions to save Wilmslow's green belt.
The Vision document has been criticised by residents for being ambiguous, taking no account of development plans in nearby areas, not including brownfield sites and lacking supportive data.
Many complained that it was based upon the views of a small stakeholder group which is not representative of the residents of Wilmslow. However, one stakeholder expressed her disappointment with the document via her article 'Wilmslow Vision process: thoughts of a stakeholder', stating it "does not reflect accurately the views of the stakeholders".
The public consultation was extended by a month to enable as many local residents as possible to have their say on the draft proposals. It followed engagement, discussions and workshops with a group of local stakeholders, including representatives from Wilmslow Trust, Wilmslow Business Group, Friends of the Carrs, Transition Wilmslow, Wilmslow Guild, Wilmslow High School, Cycle Wilmslow and Churches Together in Wilmslow.
The purpose of the Wilmslow Vision document is to summarise the views of the local community, establish the 'vision' and consider the development options to deliver on that vision. No decisions have therefore been taken about the allocation of any sites or their development potential.
The Wilmslow Vision is the first part of a consultation process that will contribute to the development of a new Local Plan for the whole of Cheshire East. There will be further consultation by early next year on the draft Local Plan.
Former Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald said: "The consultation on the Draft Wilmslow Vision document is crucially important and will help shape the Local Plan for all of Cheshire East. The response so far has been good – but we want even more people to take part and have their say.
"There will be things that people disagree with as well as things that they like the sound of – and we want to hear all those views from as many people as possible.
"Cheshire East is committed to – and has been – listening to the views of local residents and stakeholders. I would urge the people of Wilmslow to come along to the exhibition, give their feedback and help us make Wilmslow the best it can be."
Following public consultation of this draft strategy, a final revised document will be presented to Cheshire East Council.
The Wilmslow Vision public exhibition is available to view during normal opening hours at Wilmslow Leisure Centre until Thursday May 31st.
A questionnaire and a sheet of frequently-asked questions are available, in addition to the Wilmslow Vision draft document. People can complete the questionnaire online at the Cheshire East website or at the leisure centre.
You can also download the Draft Wilmslow Vision document here, along with a copy of frequently asked questions and the questionnaire.
Responses are to be returned by Thursday May 31st.
Have you responded to the Wilmslow Vision questionnaire? Were you a stakeholder? Share your views on the document and process via the comment box below.
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