High Peak Borough Council has expressed support for Whaley Bridge’s bid to give its community a bigger say over the future of  local neighbourhoods.

A press release  notes that Whaley Bridge Town Council  is seeking  approval from the Borough Council and the Peak District National Park for a proposed Neighbourhood Area – the first step towards preparation of a development plan.

Councillor Godfrey Claff, executive member for regeneration at the Borough Council, said: “It’s great to see another High Peak community taking advantage of the changes introduced by the Localism Act 2011, which enables local people to take forward planning proposals for the area where they live.

“Once the plan has been written – and adopted by the Borough Council – it becomes part of the High Peak’s Local Development Plan which means it’s an important consideration when local planning decisions are made.”

The Town Council’s application can be viewed online at www.highpeak.gov.uk/hp/council-services/local-development/neighbourhood-planning or between 9am and 12.30pm on week days in the Mechanics Institute as well as in Whaley Bridge library and at the Borough Council’s offices in Buxton Town Hall and Glossop Municipal Buildings.

Comments can be made by emailing ldf@highpeak.gov.uk or adele.metcalfe@peakdistrict.gov.uk or in writing to Planning Policy, Regeneration Service, or in writing to Planning Policy, Regeneration Service, High Peak Borough Council, Town Hall, Market Place, Buxton, SK17 6EL.