Worksop: Council needs your help to shape the future of the town

Worksop residents are being given the chance to help shape the future of the town by giving their views on changes they’d like to see over the next ten years.
Bassetlaw District Council, Queen's BuildingsBassetlaw District Council, Queen's Buildings
Bassetlaw District Council, Queen's Buildings

Bassetlaw Council will be holding a consultation exercise on Saturday 14th March, with the public invited to attend and have their say on improvements they’d like to see or issues they want resolved.

The council are drawing up a new plan for the district after abandoning their ‘Local Development Framework’ plan along with other authorities across the region such as Bolsover and Doncaster.

This was due to implications of changes to Government guidance and conclusions from a planning inspector that Bassetlaw did not have enough sufficient housing permissions to meet its requirement in the next five years.

Coun Jo White, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “In 2012, the Government abolished its original guidelines and replaced them with the National Planning Policy Framework, but failed to advise that there were no transitional arrangements between the two.”

“ Looking at statistics from planning inspectors, only 25 councils have had a Local Development Framework granted since 2012 - which is appalling in my view.”

“But I am proud that we are a proactive council that is able to turn a negative into a positive.”

“We want to ensure that this new plan takes into account the local community needs and aspirations.”

“Whilst this process would include consideration of issues such as the supply of affordable housing, availability of local services and so on, it should also aim to encourage an open debate about future issues, opportunities and options for the area.”

Residents who attend the consultation exercise will be able to mark ‘problem areas’ or places where they think there is potential for development on large-scale maps of the town.

David Armiger, interim director for regeneration and neighbourhood services, said: “This is the ideal opportunity for local people to get ideas off their chest and ultimately help us shape the future of Worksop.”

“Council members and staff from local services, such as Environmental Health, will also be on hand to answer any questions residents might have.”

“There will also be an online questionnaire that those who are unable to attend the event can fill in.”

“This should see us taking forward a Local Development Framework for future consideration that is intrinsically tied into local needs, values, identities and aspirations from right across Bassetlaw.”

The public consultation enquiry will take place from 10am-2pm at Worksop Town Hall on Potter Street.