Frettens Solicitors has thrown its weight behind the Christchurch Town Centre Neighbourhood Forum.

A new neighbourhood plan is being developed by Christchurch Town Council.

Neighbourhood planning is part of the government’s reform agenda.

It aims to:

• Incentivise housing and economic growth.
• Put more power in the hands of local people.
• Deliver a simpler planning system.

The Town Centre Neighbourhood Plan is in its first consultation phase.

It is looking for input from businesses which have a connection with the area covered by the plan.

A survey has been launched to gather input about what issues are more important for the plan to cover.

It can be accessed here.

Matt Fretten, pictured left, Managing Partner, Frettens, urged as many town centre businesses to take part as possible.

He said: “As an established Christchurch business with a long history of involvement in the town, we welcome any initiative that encourages local people to have more of an input into neighbourhood planning.

“2020 has been a tough year for everyone, and town centres have been hit harder than most by Covid.

“It is during challenging times like these that community becomes even more important.

“Hopefully the neighbourhood plan will enable Christchurch businesses to be supported as we recover together and welcome people back into the town throughout 2021 and beyond.”

For the purposes of the neighbourhood plan, Christchurch Town is defined as a broad area covering the entire parish.

It reaches out from the high street to include St Catherine’s Hill, Barrack Road, Somerford, Mudeford, Stanpit, Jumpers, Friars Cliff and Purewell.

Christchurch is following other neighbourhoods in BCP Council that already have plans in place.

They include Boscombe and Pokesdown, Broadstone and Poole Quays.

The Neighbourhood Plan for Christchurch is being prepared by the Town Council with a 12 member committee who live and/or work in Christchurch.

It comprises five town Councillors and seven volunteers who widely represent the local community giving a balanced representation of social, business, environmental and economic interests.

The online survey is live until March 15, 2021, and can be accessed through this link.

More information is available on the Christchurch Neighbourhood Plan social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Twitter.