Shepton Mallet workshop
The first of two public workshops designed to influence plans for a new housing development off Cannards Grave Road will take place at Mendip District Council Chamber on Wednesday 1st June. The council allocated 128 acres of land for the provision of approximately 500 homes, green spaces, a new primary school and business space, as well as the relocation of the Mid-Somerset Show, in order to meet the future, long term needs of the town.
Before plans are drawn up, the land owner, the Duchy of Cornwall and housebuilder, C G Fry & Son, are seeking the views of local people to help shape the development's layout, architectural design and best use of green spaces. Attendees will include representatives of the Mid-Somerset Show and Neighbourhood Plan Group to ensure a positive long-term solution for the wider community.
The series of workshops will be led by The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, which has more than 20 years of experience in community-led development. The work it is doing in Shepton Mallet will draw on elements of their 'BIMBY' tool kit (www.bimby.org.uk) to help the local community identify what it sees as 'Beauty in their Back Yard’ during the process known as Enquiry by Design.
The first workshop will be open to the public and take place on Wednesday 1 June between 7pm and 9pm at Mendip District Council Chamber, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT.
Ideas and feedback for Shepton Mallet
David Lohfink of C G Fry & Son Ltd said:“Through the Local Plan process, Mendip District Council identified this site as the most sustainable location to accommodate the future growth of Shepton Mallet. We would now like to invite the community to get involved and help shape the plans for this site. Before we put pen to paper to draw up the proposals, The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community will be leading a series of workshops in June. Some will be open to the wider public and others held for community representatives in Shepton Mallet. There will be plenty of opportunity to engage with us as we’re also holding a stall at the Collett Park Festival and then holding public exhibitions during formal consultation later this year.”
Ben Murphy of The Duchy of Cornwall said:“The Duchy of Cornwall, C G Fry & Son and The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community share the ethos of community-led consultation. We believe that good quality, carefully designed homes and well connected, walkable streets are essential to creating a sense of place. We are inviting local stakeholders and members of the public to have their say on what they want from the location, type and character of housing, and green space to the connections into Shepton Mallet town and the Somerset countryside. We look forward to working with local people to help make all this possible.”
Kim Hitch of The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community said:“The Prince’s Foundation workshops and public exhibitions are aimed to bring people together to create sustainable and beautiful places. Consultation helps to reach practical solutions, giving the community a say on what they want in their area. The environment people live in affects the way they live. We believe that sustainably planned, built and maintained communities improve the quality of life of everyone who's part of them.”
C G Fry & Son Ltd and The Duchy of Cornwall recently began initial engagement with the Local Authorities to walk and scope the site in order to inform the future workshops.
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