Importance of Rye neighbourhood plan

It seems that some public misconceptions regarding Rye’s Neighbourhood Plan need to be addressed. (Postbag 1/8/14) Unfortunately the importance of this initiative is in danger of being undermined by a basic lack of understanding or willingness to understand the process. It is always regrettable when people who are in a position to help, choose to instead cast a negative aura over the better efforts of others.

The processes of Neighbourhood Planning have been evolved and encouraged by the Government of Great Britain to offer communities a positive opportunity to significantly influence and control certain future development within their boundaries.

Neighbourhood plans are unique. Once adopted, planners are bound to follow their prescriptions when considering developments covered by the plan. Although some things, such as major highways issues cannot be included, it is glaringly obvious that towns such as Rye can benefit enormously from a successfully compiled and adopted Neighbourhood Plan.

It is desirable that Neighbourhood Planning Groups be made up of a mix of councillors and others; members of the community who have the drive, energy, time and importantly the skills to deliver the process. We have endeavoured to do this and are very happy with the mix we have achieved. Some very worthy and highly qualified people make up our team, not least of which are leading the process, with great enthusiasm and with considerable compromise to their own lives and personal time.

For a Neighbourhood Plan to qualify for adoption, Public Consultation has to have played a significant part. This is why the people living, working and being educated in Rye have been asked to take a little time to complete a survey. The process and the reasons for it were explained on page one of the survey booklet.

On behalf of the dozens of dedicated members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and its working groups, I would like to thank the many people of Rye who did take the survey seriously and did bother to have their say. Future generations of Ryers will have you to be grateful to.

Cllr Bernardine Fiddimore

Mayor of Rye