Public Participation - the fundamental change in community planning

Click here to find out about the next Yateley Parish Plan public meeting or event

The whole concept of the Parish Plan is that it should be created by the general public. Unlike the previous planning regime, Parish Plans are not written by professional planners sitting in the offices of local government. County, District and Town Councils can and do provide advice, assistance and funding, but they do not prepare the plan.

The Yateley Parish Plan must be produced by the people of Yateley. In the past community planning was written for us -- after which we had the opportunity to say whether we liked or disliked it. Now we have to start from scratch. Look upon the process as DIY planning, but it's a better way for us to get what we want for Yateley.

There is another extremely important factor: unless there has been a very wide public involvement in producing the plan, then the Yateley Parish Plan will carry no weight in promoting with the Authorities what we want for Yateley -- or what we don't want in Yateley.

The Yateley Parish Plan Steering Group has been established, but don't expect the Steering Group to do all the work. We must have as much help as possible from all walks of life, and from all age groups, from businesses, from schools, from faith groups, from charities, from people who come to Yateley for leisure pursuits, in fact from everyone. Otherwise, even if a plan is produced, it will not be officially validated.

Once you have looked through this website and seen what it's all about, we hope you will want to participate. Perhaps you have some special knowledge or expertise about one of the topic areas. We should like you to join one of our topic sub-committees. On the other hand you may just want to give us your views. There will be public meetings, exhibitions and surveys later, but we need your input now.

Please contact us using the email link on the SideBar

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