New Neighbourhood Forum for Hoe Area

Residents living around the Hoe will have more of a say in future developments in their area, thanks to a new neighbourhood forum.

Plymouth City Council has approved the designation of a Neighbourhood Area to cover the Hoe, taking in West Hoe, with Ballard House on its west boundary and up to and including the Citadel on the east. The northern boundary of the area includes Princess Street.

Under the Localism Act 2011 groups can apply to become a neighbourhood forum with a boundary and write their own neighbourhood plan, a planning policy document, for that area. The forum would also become statutory consultees for all planning applications.

The plans are written by the local community and in Plymouth, there are currently three neighbourhood forums in Barne Barton, Devonport and Plympton St. Mary. Across the country there are 293 adopted neighbourhoods.

Residents could create their own plan that will shape development in the future – whether that’s where to build homes, business premises or facilities such as surgeries and play areas.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Housing, Transport, and Planning, said: “Through the Plymouth Plan and the Joint Local Plan we have always been incredibly keen to make sure the people who live here are listened to and that their insight is taken into account.

“This part of the city is incredibly important to the economy and to our tourist offer, but it is also home to thousands of people. This forum will help give them a stronger voice.”

Now that the first step has been achieved, the local community will now progress with help from the local authority to write the Hoe Neighbourhood Plan.

A map of the neighbourhood area, the details of the forum and constitution is on: www.plymouth.gov.uk/planningpolicy/localismandneighbourhoodplanning/neig...