We need your support during the Forum consultation period

Neighbourhood Plan Forum moves forward

Following the designation of the neighbourhood plan area by the Council in February, the next step in the Neighbourhood Plan process was the submission of an application to the Council for the designation of the neighbourhood plan forum.

The Forum is the body responsible for developing the neighbourhood plan. A draft forum constitution was discussed at a previous General Meeting in March, and was revised in response to the points raised.

The updated constitution was approved unanimously on 31^st May by attending Forum members, enabling the Forum application to the Council to proceed, and the Council’s six week consultation period to begin.

The application can now be viewed on the Council’s website here, and at the One Stop Shop opposite Tescos.

 

How to show your support

If you support the application, please do leave brief positive messages, as we need to demonstrate support from across the area. Written responses should be made by midnight on the 19 July 2017.

Please send your comments to neighbourhoodplanning@towerhamlets.gov.uk or you can use the suggested letter of support below.

 

Progress with Forum Ambassadors

The General Meeting on the 31^st May also saw progress in appointing Ambassadors for smaller local areas, including Ranwell West and Chisenhale/Old Ford, to share information about the neighbourhood plan process and support neighbours getting involved.

Ambassadors are still needed for the following areas, and so please get in touch if you would like to find out more.

• Bow Quarter/Fairfield Road
• Malmesbury Estate
• Tredegar Road
• Antill Road
• Old Ford, eastern end
• Ranwell East

The meeting raised several issues of concern to local residents, and these included the safeguarding and green space and trees on Ranwell West estate, plans for the former Bow Boys school buildings, and funding that Tower Hamlets will receive from TFL under a ‘Liveable Neighbourhoods’ programme, which will seek ‘to reduce dangers on the roads, transform local areas, encourage cycling and walking and improve air quality.’

Please let us know what you like or dislike about your local area by leaving a comment on our interactive map here.

Next steps

The next steps will be to start building evidence and developing policies and projects to go into the neighbourhood plan. We need your help to ensure that the plan reflects local priorities. Our aim is that in 2019 the plan will be ready to submit to the Council for further consultation, be considered by an independent examiner and put to the vote of local people in a referendum.

Together we can make a significant impact to improve our area, but we need your help to achieve this.

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Suggested letter of support

Dear Neighbourhood Planning Team

I am writing this letter in support of the Roman Road Bow Neighbourhood Forum Application as I believe it has adequately met Forum requirements including:

• Showing clear commitments to work with local organisations to promote or improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of its neighbourhood.
• Providing assurance that it will embed the Council’s guidance and aspirations within the Community Plan, Single Equality Framework, Core Strategy, and Managing Development Document into their activities
• Inviting local community members to take part through a series of meetings, consultation and events, and planning future engagement activities to grow the Forum
• Having members from local business, residents and community groups from the Neighbourhood Area, 41 of the 270 members being listed on the application form
• Having a Constitution that has been developed in a correct and proper manner

Kind regards

<insert full name>

<insert organisation if relevant>

<insert postcode>

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