Local Community Gears Up for Biodiversity Conservation and Housing Discussions
In our recent Neighbourhood Plan Meeting held on February 27, 2024, key community members gathered to discuss pressing issues concerning the local area.
Among the topics discussed was the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), a crucial document aimed at managing biodiversity effectively. Councillor Carole Lattin provided insights from a briefing presented by Stuart Priestley, Durham County Council’s Principal Ecologist, emphasising the need for local involvement in identifying sites for biodiversity enhancement. The consultation for LNRS ends on 16 April, prompting members to prepare responses for the next meeting.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the importance of a draft newsletter, which requires amendments before being distributed before Gilesgate Residents’ Association’s AGM in April. Lesley Mavin and Richard Hornby were tasked with finalising the amendments and coordinating with our publicity team for the newsletter’s timely dissemination.
Furthermore, discussions centered on Stage 2 Consultations on Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), specifically focusing on Solar Energy and Housing Needs. Members agreed to review the SPDs in preparation for upcoming meetings where responses to consultations will be formulated.
A notable update was provided on the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA), with a focus on promoting a greater consideration of “disposable income” in affordable housing discussions. Richard Hornby and Patrick Conway’s efforts in formatting responses to the initial draft of HNA were acknowledged, with plans to summarise the final report into a concise, public-friendly version for dissemination.
Looking ahead, the community outlined priorities which include tidying up the newsletter, finishing the Features and Facilities document, and framing policies integral to the Neighbourhood Plan (NP). A meeting with Stuart Carter from DCC was proposed to share success stories from other NP initiatives, illustrating the tangible impact of community-driven policies.
The meeting concluded with the scheduling of the next two meetings, set for 21 March and 26 March. These meetings will delve into discussing success stories and formulating responses to SPDs and the LNRS, depending on Stuart’s availability.