As we develop the 2021-2040 Neighbourhood Plan for Long Leys, one aspect that needs more detail around it in the plan is a Long Leys Community Hub. Without dramatic changes, not least obtaining a significant amount of funding from different sources, there is no certainty that one can be built. However, a lot can change over 20 years and as the old adage goes: “If you fail to plan you plan to fail“.
Comments from the initial Community Survey showed a strong interest in creating a central venue for the community to meet, providing the opportunity for clubs, meetings and community events. There was a desire to encourage wider social interaction and reduce social exclusion, in particular of those who are unable or find it difficult to travel outside the area.
How Can You Help?
Jackie Ward, part of the NPAG team working on the Neighbourhood Plan, would love to hear from those with definitive views on what a Community Hub could look like (size, location, facilities etc). If you are keen to help then please get in touch directly with Jackie at jackie.ward@long-leys.org. Jackie is looking to get groups of interested residents together to explore the neighbourhood needs and aspirations. This may be via a specific meeting or just one on one conversations. The objective of this would be to develop a more detailed plan for a Community Hub and a list of questions to ask the community about the hub. These questions would be used in the next Neighbourhood Planning Survey which will go out to all Long Leys residents, to get feedback.
Please do get in touch with Jackie if you would like to contribute to this: jackie.ward@long-leys.org
Background to Neighbourhood Plan
This particular activity is part of the Neighbourhood Planning project for Long Leys and supports the following focus area:
- Community Centre: Exploring the need for a community meeting place.
The Long Leys Neighbourhood Plan is being developed by LLRA and community volunteers, along with specialist support from a grant funded planning consultant and other specialist consultants. The overall project is being managed, on behalf of LLRA, by the Neighbourhood Planning Action Group (NPAG). If you would like to volunteer to help with any of the Neighbourhood Plan activity, which is 100% community led and controlled, then email us at NPAG@long-leys.org. Volunteers willingly give up their time to benefit the whole Long Leys community. See long-leys.org/neighbourhood-plan/ for more details on the project.
What Others Are Saying: