Dear members, dear residents
You may or may not be aware that there is an ongoing process of defining a Village Envelope for Maidencombe. This could potentially increase the boundaries of Maidencombe and have an impact on development within Maidencombe.
Jim Campbell, Secretary of the Maidencombe Community Group, has held discussions with Andrew Gunther (Senior Planning & Public Health Officer) to ensure that ALL residents are heard and that any consultation is not just with ONE group, but with all members and representatives of the community.
Jim has raised a number of questions and concerns about the VE and we are awaiting a response to these.
Jim has pointed out that the make-up of the village has existed for nigh on a century and is well established. Expanding the envelope with a view to increased development would contradict Council policy.
Residents may also be curious to know why the initiative is being taken by the Council as development within Maidencombe is already carefully controlled and further housing quotas are not required.
Andrew Gunther has stressed that the initiative is forum led (Neighbourhood Planning forum) and not exclusively by the Council.
The consultation period will start from February 8th and last for six weeks.. Andrew Gunther has offered to meet with the relevant groups that represent the village. This INCLUDES the MCG. We will be holding a meeting, therefore, with Andrew in the coming weeks.
Furthermore, if you have specific questions or concerns about the VE, or if you cannot attend a meeting, please direct your questions to Jim and he will ensure that they are passed on to Andrew.
We will keep you informed of potential dates. We have already posted relevant information about these developments in the members’ area of the MCG website. Please log in to read them.
We will also be holding an MCG meeting at the beginning of February and members are welcome to attend and discuss this matter before the consultation period ends.
Please note that this initiative concerns everybody and we would like to ensure that your voice is heard.
Kind regards,
MCG committee