CHRISTCHURCH Town Council is asking for the opinions of its residents on what should be brought into focus following the launch of its ed its Neighbourhood Plan Scoping Survey.

The Town Council applied to BCP Council to designate the whole of the parish and town and this has been agreed.

The next step is to start the Neighbourhood Plan journey, and the Town Council say that consultation will be the first step.

Chairman of the Town Council’s Planning Committee Cllr David Jones said: “This is a fantastic milestone for the Town Council and its residents and businesses.

“This consultation utilises a unique power for Town Councils where our communities can truly have a say about the vision and future for Christchurch.

“The Council really does want to know what is important to our residents and what they want to see happening in our town. We truly want to give Christchurch back its voice”.

Neighbourhood Planning allows a local community and its residents, businesses, and visitors to have a say in shaping the space around them. It is a way for local communities to shape the plan policies which are relevant to them.

Importantly, the Plan will be factored into planning application decisions made by BCP Council.

The Town Council has engaged numerous community volunteers and a planning consultant to commence the process and the Scoping Survey is the first opportunity to have a say about what the plan should cover.

The survey is available online at christchurchplan.uk and at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CNP-Survey1.

Hard copies of the survey are available at Town Common News on Fairmile, and on request to the Town Clerk townclerk@christchurch-tc.gov.uk, and is open until of March 15, 2021.