Ten years ago, parliament passed the Localism Act, introducing new rights and powers for local communities, allowing them to shape development in their town by preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. The Plan should guide, direct and help deliver sustainable development, by influencing local planning decisions.
In 2015 we started to write a Neighbourhood Plan for Newmarket, which was finally published for consultation in 2019. A successful referendum was held in January 2020 and the plan was officially adopted in February 2020. Just as the pandemic struck!
The Plan not only contained planning policies, but also Community Actions, which were identified through the community engagement undertaken in preparing the Plan. There was an expectation that Newmarket Town Council will pursue these Community Actions, and it is hoped that some of the projects will provide residents an opportunity to continue to play an active part in shaping the future of our town. The Plan lasts till 2031, by which time a new list of priorities will hopefully have been developed.
Newmarket Town Council set up a Neighbourhood Plan committee, with the intention of addressing each of the Community Actions in the Plan. We have set up working groups, meeting virtually, and often including members of the public, to focus on individual Community Actions.
The pandemic has scared our town, having a particularly detrimental effect on the town centre. This has added an urgency to our work. We are looking to improve the attractiveness of the town, both by improvements to the infrastructure in the town centre and by suitable planting around the town. We will be working closely with West Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council and Jockey Club Estates to realise our vision for Newmarket.
We continue to seek the views of the residents of Newmarket, so please let us know your priorities.
Michael Jefferys
Town Mayor