Neighbourhood Plan

Pupil's drawing of eco house

Children at Lynton Primary School got the Parish's Neighbourhood Plan off to a flying start on Friday morning when volunteers from the local community working on the plan – the 'Neighbourhood Reps' – and Councillor Andrea Davis, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, dropped in to the school to hear about the kid's ideas.

The children had been working new development they thought Lynton, Lynmouth and Barbrook needed, and also on their own designs for eco-houses. A skate park and all-weather sports pitch were popular choices, and other ideas also included a media centre, and a scientific research centre to take advantage of Exmoor's dark skies!

Enough space for books and toys, and a garden to play in and grow vegetables are what the children think are important for new houses and there was plenty of eco-thinking in terms of design with solar panels, water butts, wind turbines and even a house-pig!

Julia Pring, a Teaching Assistant at the school and one of the Neighbourhood Reps said: 'The children really enjoyed thinking about the future of where they live and are full of good ideas'.

Andrea Davis, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said: 'The enthusiasm of the children is really inspiring. Let's make sure our Plan delivers for them.'

The residents and businesses of Lynton and Lynmouth can have their say on where within their area they wish to see new housing to meet local needs and related business and community development.

Last year the Town Council was successful in its bid to be one of the first in the country for the local community to write its own Neighbourhood Plan. The first phase of this work was launched at the weekend and continues until the end of February. People should visit the website to get stuck in – www.lynplan.org.uk.

Published: 31 January 2012