Have Your Say on the Future of Whitby

Whitby residents are being invited to participate in a series of drop-in sessions to gather feedback on the Whitby Neighbourhood Plan which will guide future development in the area over the next 15-20 years.

The new plan will set out planning policies for the area and can protect local green spaces, encourage better designed places, bring forward housing that genuinely meets local needs, protect important heritage assets, support businesses and employment, improve infrastructure and specify parking provision.

The Plan will be written by the local community and will help get the right types of development, in the right place. Work on creating the plan is underway and is being managed by a group including Whitby Town Council and the Whitby Community Network.

The Whitby Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, which is a mix of local residents and Whitby Town Councillors, has been collecting evidence on a wide range of planning issues over the last few months, and has come up with some draft ideas for planning policies which can be included in the Neighbourhood Plan.

Andy Jefferson, Director of Whitby Community Network says the series of events over the next week are an initial effort to feedback early thinking on then plan and get input from local people.

The series of drop-in events will give local people the opportunity to see information about the direction the plan is taking and add their own local knowledge to the process. The events are taking place at the following locations:

• Thursday 27th Feb – 10:00-13:00 : Marton Court Community Centre
• Friday 28th Feb – 11:00-13:00 : Green Lane Centre
• Friday 7th Mar – 08:00-13:00 : Eastside Centre
• Saturday 8th Mar – 10:15-12:30 : Whitby Leisure Centre.

The Neighbourhood Plan can include policies specific to Whitby, protect existing community facilities, protect areas of land for conservation, biodiversity and landscape value, influence the type, location and design of new development and identify the need for specific projects or types of infrastructure.

Andy says the plan will cover the needs of both residents and businesses.

The drop-in sessions will present attendees with boards of information regarding 12 themes to provoke thought and discussion, including housing, walking and cycle paths and the harbour. These consultations aim to gather public views to help define the direction of the Neighbourhood Plan. People can express whether they agree or disagree with the ideas and add their own comments.

Whitby Town Council have already held one event at Whitby School. 

Andy says the remaining events are open to everyone:

Those unable to attend the sessions can access the board information on a dedicated webpage and email their comments.

Andy says that once the comments have been collated the development of the plan will move forward to the next stage before the public have another chance to add their thoughts.

The current vision statement for the Neighbourhood Plan includes aims such as:

• A vibrant harbour.
• High quality, accessible, and affordable homes.
• Sustainable economic growth.
• Accessible and well-maintained green and blue spaces.
• Well-connected spaces with sustainable transport options.
• Sensitively managed car parking.
• Protection and enhancement of the historic environment and biodiversity.
• A thriving town centre.
• Promotion of future sustainability and efficiency.

Andy Jefferson underscored the significance of community involvement in shaping the plan to address local needs and priorities and says the way the project is being delivered shows what can happen when organisations inn the town work together,

Further information on the Neighbourhood Plan and it’s progress can be found at https://www.whitbytowncouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan