Halton Development www.hdcic.co.uk
The DIO must truly engage if local people are to have a real say Whilst supporting several elements of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) plans and consultation process that took place at Halton in May 2019, we remain concerned about how the process is being run and the inability for the local community to really participate. We also note that the programme is clearly evolving also, given the changes to the unitary authority due April 2020, and the announcement that Halton’s closure is now forecast for 2025/6. Nevertheless, the HDCIC continues to maintain local support for a more proactive, expansive place making programme for Halton for the benefit of the local community, and our position remains unchanged, this being • a more imaginative approach to the Halton site that considers the unique assets, spaces and industry that is there now and was there in the recent past • not only great housing that appeals to young and old, richer and poorer, but industry and enterprise that can bring vibrancy, jobs and innovation
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Wendover News April 2020
• our request for an active role in managing the drawdown and helping with specific assets, land parcels and active management of assets • an exciting plan for sports facilities and training to a national standard alongside participation for all.
impact. We could not agree more.
However, we contend that the practical application of this approach is severely lacking with regards to the Halton development. The community continues to be presented with plans and invited to comment rather than Throughout 2019 we shared these ideas with the co-operative approach envisioned by TV LEP, AVDC, Bucks Property management, Government. and HDCIC interested parties/members. Our voice in the process has been lacking to We remain optimistic of opinion at Government date, particularly from DIO to HDCIC, and we level, indeed their own published papers and once again reach out to share our expertise, positive statements support the idea of giving local perspective and passion for great place local communities even more say and control making. So far our offer to take on the Sports over local development, beyond that described Pavilion as a community asset, our desire to in the Localism Act. In a Housing, Communities input into the development of the land to build and Local Government paper from last July, the true communities rather than simply housing, previous Minister of Housing notes that only and to progress the sports facilities and plans, 26% of locals feel able to influence local plans. have received little engagement. It states that there should be more ‘transferring power and control down within communities’ In summary, we continue to engage with and ‘asset transfer to communities’, with better several parties and will reach out to more still, provision for access to finance for housing and such as our newly elected MP, but greater leisure facilities and shared ventures with local inclusion from the DIO is needed if we are all to authorities on community ventures with social have a real say in the future of the site.
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