Averbury District Council has formally confirmed Thornwick St Mary as a designated neighbourhood area, the first official step towards preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for the parish. The move follows a well attended drop in session at the village hall in early June, where around thirty residents came along to hear more and share their views.
A steering group of five local volunteers has now been formed to take the project forward, working alongside the Parish Council. Their first task will be gathering evidence about the parish, including its housing, environment, transport and community facilities, ahead of a resident survey planned for later in the year.
A Neighbourhood Plan gives residents a genuine say in how the parish develops over the coming years, from where new housing might go to protecting the green spaces that matter most locally. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved as the project progresses, starting with the autumn survey, so do keep an eye on the website and noticeboard for updates.