Former Planning Minister, Nick Boles MP (centre), visited Coton Park alongside local MP Mark Pawsey (centre right) to see the work done by the local community on their Neighbourhood Plan
The success of the Coton Neighbourhood plan was praised by Rugby’s MP Mark Pawsey during a Parliamentary debate on the Neighbourhood Planning Bill this week.
The Neighbourhood Planning Bill brings forward a number of proposals to strengthen neighbourhood plans and is a key part of the Government’s plans to help deliver the homes the country needs for the future.
During the debate, Mark highlighted the role that neighbourhood plans play in ensuring that development is carried out with the support of local communities. Mark spoke about the valuable role that the Neighbourhood Plan in Coton Park has played in engaging the local community in the area and how it was the 100th local plan in the country to go to referendum.
Mark commented:
“Getting development right is one of the great tasks which both communities and government face. Good development provides not only the housing we need for future generations, but also promotes economic growth and helps us to build new communities. I was proud to be able to speak in the Chamber about the first neighbourhood plan in Rugby, at Coton Park.”
Mark continued:
“The neighbourhood plan at Coton Park was spearheaded by Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince who was instrumental in bringing it forward. It was the 100th such plan to go to referendum in the country and has helped the local community in Coton Park shape the development in their area. I’m really pleased that the Coton Neighbourhood Plan has now been extended to Coton Park East, with additional funding being provided to improve the roundabouts in the area, which have long been a source of frustration for local residents.”
Mark concluded:
“Four more areas in Rugby are developing their own neighbourhood plans and I believe this will provide a great opportunity for local people to put their views forward on planning and development in their areas. Rugby residents will be pleased that Gavin Barwell MP, the Minister for Housing and Planning, confirmed that the Government will be providing even more help in the future for communities producing neighbourhood plans. I hope that many more areas in Rugby will follow Coton’s lead.”