Have Your Say On What Matters Most In The Bay
A new plan setting out how Torbay can make the most of its superb natural environment has been published for public consultation. The Torbay Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan is being championed by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Torbay Council and Natural England. Torbay residents are invited to have their say on the green places and facilities that matter most to them including wildlife areas, footpaths and cycleways, natural play areas, allotments and orchards.
The aim is to ensure that the future development planned for Torbay over the next 20 years is carried out sustainably, so that the health and beauty of the natural environment, the needs of the community and the need for economic regeneration are all balanced. The plan includes the creation of new Country Parks; a new network of recreational trails; orchard enhancement zones; new local food hubs and areas for wetland creation to help cope with future flood events.
Cate McIvor, Green Infrastructure Project Officer for Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, said:
Torbay’s natural environment is really valuable and the benefits it provides to the health of the Bay are huge. The quality of life of residents, the benefits to the tourism industry and the need to protect our heritage are all linked to green infrastructure. This plan provides a strategic way forward for the future use and management of the Bay’s green assets and we would like everyone’s thoughts and views on the current draft plan.
Steve Turner, the Council’s Team Leader for Strategic Planning said:
This plan gives us a very good understanding of how a wide range of environmental features interrelate, and highlights their significance for our communities. For this reason, it is a very important supporting document for the Torbay Local Development Framework. The ideas put forward provide a foundation for the preparation of planning policies for sustainable development to be included in the Council’s Draft Core Strategy, to be published later this year.
Cllr Dave Butt, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:
Torbay is blessed with a wonderful variety of environmental assets, and it is important that we do everything we can to look after them. I hope that as many people as possible who care for their local environment will take the opportunity to contribute to the consultation.
A draft of the Torbay Green Infrastructure Delivery Plan is out for consultation until 2 March and can be viewed online at www.torbaygreeninfrastructure.org.uk. The public are invited to comment through the online questionnaire or call Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust on 01803 528841 or email c.mcivor@countryside–trust.org.uk.
