Training for Littleborough volunteers

Littleborough Neighbourhood Forum training

Littleborough Neighbourhood Forum came into existence last year with the aim to produce a 'Neighbourhood Plan', which is a community-led framework for guiding the future development, regeneration and conservation of Littleborough.

Over 20 members of the Littleborough community, including local councillors and members of the Civic Trust and many local organisations, gave up their Saturday afternoon to attend a three hour training session entitled “Nuts and Bolts of Neighbourhood Planning”, led by Carol Latham of Planning Aid England, to help with preparation of the Plan.

A presentation by Ms Latham was followed by advice on the local planning context from Wayne Poole and Keerpa Patel of Rochdale Council. A series of workshops covered topics aimed at helping to move the project forward.

John Kay, a director of Rochdale Online and Treasurer of Littleborough Neighbourhood Forum, said “Recent planning consents such as that at Rakewood and the Tesco approval show how determined residents of Littleborough are to have their voices heard on any development which affects our area. We may not always agree on what is right for Littleborough but we all feel passionate about the opportunities the future of our 'village'. Preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan gives our views legal status.”

Preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan will take several months and eventually will be the subject of a Public Referendum

Anyone who lives or works in Littleborough is welcome to join the Forum.

http://littleboroughneighbourhoodforum.org.uk