Two years ago the village was the first in Poole to establish a Neighbourhood Forum.
Since then its members have been working hard on developing a Local Plan. Surveys have been undertaken, drop in sessions have been organised and considerable background information collected and processed.
Mike Brooke, the Forum’s chairman said: “We have made a lot of progress since we started on the plan 18 months ago. We have developed a number of important policies on open space, housing, access and movement, and sustainability that will help shape Broadstone’s future whilst protecting the best of what we have. However, we had no funding to enable us to test the level of support for these policies with our residents.”
Shortly before Christmas an opportunity to apply for Government Funding arose and the bid was successful. “The £7,000 grant, which had to be spent within three months, enabled us to work with planning consultants to produce a number of options for improving the Broadway and to undertake a full public consultation on our policies,” added Mike. The consultation commenced on the 1st June and will end on 15th July. Copies of the consultation document can be viewed on Broadstone Forum’s website broadstoneneighbourhood.uk or on Poole Council’s website. Hard copies are available at Molly’s in the Broadway, Broadstone Library and Poole’s planning department.
Broadstone Neighbourhood Forum has just learned it has been successful in obtaining an additional grant of almost £8,000 in the latest round of Government funding. This will enable forum members to take the plan through the next stage of its development ready for presentation to the Council towards the end of the year.
Mike added: “What is really significant is this is an example of localism at work. The Plan is being produced by Broadstone residents for Broadstone and not being imposed from above.”
- Blackmore Vale Magazine
