Locals want bigger say in town future

Chapel-en-le-Frith residents should be given a voice of their own in the future development of the town, a public meeting heard last week.

The call was made as locals gave the thumbs down to proposals for large scale development by 2026 on land to the south west of Chapel at a packed meeting held in Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Hall.

Chapel Parish Council called the public meeting following the number of representations they had received from residents about the High Peak Core Strategy consultation document, and to address inaccurate information in the public domain.

The meeting gave residents an opportunity to hear of the plans first-hand from High Peak Borough Council officers.
It was stressed that consultation is ongoing and the Borough Council was keen to hear the views of as many people as possible.

Comments can be emailed to - LDF@highpeak.gov.uk or dropped off at the Parish Office in Chapel Town Hall.

The Parish Council's view is that the current proposals would have a huge impact on the town and they have already submitted suggestions to accommodate some of the proposed development on existing sites. Full details can be found on the Parish Council website at www.chapel-en-le-frithparishcouncil.gov.uk.

They are also calling for a 'Chapel Vision ' plan, similar to those in Buxton and Glossop, giving local people a voice on how the community should adapt and evolve in the future.

"The Parish Council will be working on behalf of the community and intend to have a big voice to achieve a community which is fit to live and work in and not be desecrated," said a spokesman.