BETTER infrastructure and more employment in Okehampton are among the strongest desires in the community according to the opening event of the Okehampton Town and Hamlets Neighbourhood Plan.

In July, the Charter Hall saw one of the biggest public consultations the town has ever had at the launch of the neighbourhood plan.

Around 320 people came through the door throughout the day to share their thoughts on the needs of the town and find out more about the neighbourhood plan process.

The team behind the plan has now published its initial polling results from that event. The biggest issue highlighted by attendees was the need to improve infrastructure and traffic management in the town, followed by the need for more employment and business growth opportunities in the town and hamlets.

Other key issues discussed included a desire for better retail and trade facilities and better provision for town amenities.

James Cox, chair of the neighbourhood plan working group said: ‘Since the successful launch event we have been forging ahead with establishing a forum representative of our community. We are now moving forward with the next stages of consultation and development.

‘This will include events and interaction with the Okehampton town and hamlets communities. Watch this space. We are still keen for new members to join the group and it is a good time to get active. We will release some more specific information shortly as we are outlining our next steps and gathering momentum.’

Earlier this year Okehampton Town Council and Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council adopted a joint councils’ protocol to start the process of creating the neighbourhood plan.

Such plans establish general planning policies for the development and use of land in a neighbourhood such as where new homes and work spaces should be built, and what they should look like.

The plan can be detailed or general, depending on the desires of local people. Neighbourhood plans allow local people to get the right type of development for their community but the plans must still meet the needs of the wider area.

The two councils have joined forces to put together the plan amidst the high levels of development planned for Okehampton in the coming years.

To find out more about the plan and get involved visit the website www.okehamplan.btck. co.uk