Do you recognise Haddenham as a hive of activity, with a thriving community working together in common purpose and for the collective good? Should this be the vision of what the village should be like? Building from a very successful Vision Workshop held at the end of last year, and following consultation events across the village, including with the schools, village organisations and sports clubs, the Haddenham Neighbourhood Plan team is looking again to canvass the opinion of village residents. They are holding a drop-in session in the Village Hall on Saturday 25th January, between 10am and 3pm.
The aim of the Neighbourhood Plan is to reflect a broad consensus among residents of all ages, and of business leaders and community leaders, describing how the residents would like Haddenham to develop over the years to 2030. The document, after approval by a local referendum, will have a legal basis to help shape the community to which the village aspires – so the team is keen to reflect as broad a local opinion as possible.
The primary areas currently included in the plan range from Haddenham's unique cultural characteristics to the way the village might encourage young entrepreneurs and those with creative and artistic talents; from the housing needs of young adults to those of the most mature members of the village; from the kinds of infrastructure and incentives needed to attract new businesses and build employment opportunities, to defining the areas of the village in which new residential housing could be located. The team is looking at the village's current strengths and weaknesses, and the opportunities and threats that can be identified, but this is only the start of the consultation!
Work is now underway to canvass opinion about schools and education, business and retail opportunity, health and social welfare, transport and sport and leisure. The team is also talking to landowners and developers about housing and development – and would like to hear from YOU! How should the hub of the village be developed; how can people be encouraged to look into the village rather than travel for shopping, leisure and sporting activities; how can the village improve and strengthen as the place where people enjoy visiting and living? If you have ideas, or would like to be involved in the development of the plan, please drop in at the Village Hall at any time between 10 am and 3pm on Saturday 25th January to see the displays and discuss the proposals.
