Keith Smith reports:
‘ Highworth: The Vision ' has it made a difference? On Wednesday October 21st 2009 in the Community Room, I shall be happy to report on all of the year's activities. In the meantime here is a taster.
The Vision was completed a year ago now. It was adopted by Highworth Town Council as the parish plan. Now I am delighted to report it has been included in the latest ‘Swindon Core Strategy and Development Management Policies' (see page 98). What does this mean? First of all, officers of Swindon Borough Council have actually read the document, secondly they have identified areas that are important to the future of the borough as a whole and included them in the core strategy. More importantly they have agreed with our view, that if Highworth is to have an economically viable future, there have to be developments. Two of the developments quoted in the document focus on Gilbert's Alley and the potential for tourism.
We are very keen to develop the tourism aspect. There are advanced proposals to re-furbish the roundabout at the Fox, to make the entrance to Highworth more attractive. A number of other town organisations are supporting in this including the Town Council, which is looking at the impact of the businesses on Swindon Street. We are also working with an organisation called Action for Market Towns (AMT), which has a wealth of experience in helping towns like Highworth develop its tourism.
Good news indeed. Despite the recession we at HCPG are confident that you will soon begin to see a difference to this unique town.
Come and find out about the other exciting projects we have been involved in at our Annual General Meeting, on Wednesday October 21st at 7.30 in the community rooms. |
