Plan gets the green light

Councillors in Helmdon gave the go-ahead this week for the 36-point Helmdon Parish Plan.

The plan was formally adopted by Helmdon Parish Council at a meeting on Wednesday, July 28.

It was put together using the suggestions and opinions of people living in Helmdon and the surrounding areas after a questionnaire went out and received a huge response earlier this year.

The findings were put together to form the plan which went out to residents early this month to be discussed at a meting last week on Wednesday, July 14.

More than 60 people went to the meeting, which was hailed a success by members of the Parish Plan steering group.

Danny Moody, chair of the steering group, said: "We received lots of positive feedback, but most importantly over 20 people came forward wanting to be involved in turning the plan into reality.

"There is something for everyone, young or old.

"We hope the plan will be a footpath to the future of Helmdon."

The ambitions of many of the people living in the area have been conveyed in the plan, which includes projects such as the building of a new village hall and an off-road cycle way to link Helmdon and Brackley.

Several new groups have been proposed for the area, including a wildlife and conservation group, youth clubs and a gardening society.

Copies of the plan will now be sent on to Northants County Council, South Northants Council and to the Countryside Agency which provided Helmdon Parish Council with a £4,000 grant towards the cost of the producing the plan.

After the massive response to the plan so far, the steering group is hoping to get volunteers together to help get the projects off the ground.

Anyone who would like to get involved can now fill out a participation form, which is available on the village's website along with the results of the parish questionnaire, the subsequent report and action plan.

The website can be visited at www.helmdon.com/parishplan.

The Brackley Post - 30th July 2004