Big turnout for Roman Road Neighbourhood Plan Inaugural Public Meeting
Over fifty people attended the Inaugural Public Meeting of the Roman Road Neighbourhood Plan held at St Paul's Church.
Andy Belfield from Public Works lead the meeting and gave an overview of the Neighbourhood Planning process. Andy draws on his experience with the Depford Neighbourhoud Plan and will be facilitating initial meetings for the Roman Road Neighbourhood Plan, helping to set up the Forum that will lead it.
Reverend James Hughesdon asked how a Neighbourhood Plan would reach out to smaller community groups in Bow of different ages, backgrounds and cultures. Torange Khonsari, course leader of The Cass art and architecture students who are studying Roman Road and helping build the Interact community hub on Ford Road, talked about how The Cass students have organised a programme of community events over the next two terms that will reach out to different community and cultural groups in and around Roman Road. Andy Belfield recommended organising social events to help make participation fun and interactive, and also choosing venues for Forum meetings in different local culture centres.
Tabitha Stapely of the Roman Road Trust also suggested that future meetings should be set on different days and at different times of day to ensure attendance is possible from a wide range of local people including businesses.
Attendees then worked in groups to discuss the boundary with many people suggesting the boundary should include Fish Island and extend down to Bow Road. Gladstone Place Resident Association member Thomas Martin suggested an art trail through a popular cut-through from Bow Road to Roman Road via Tom Thumb Passage.
The next date for the diary is a guided tour being held on Saturday 19 March as part of the Roman Road Yard Market launch party. People are invited to join the walk and tour, which will discuss the neighbourhood planning and explore ways that a high street and community can be re-imagined.
If you are interested in joining future meetings please join the forum here.
