As we prepare to post the first mass survey to households in the Parish, Michael Brougham looks at what has been achieved so far and reminds us why it is important for everyone to have their say.

Next week, from Monday 12 March, our first mass survey of all households in Mylor Parish will be hitting doorsteps and available online. How did we get to this point?

The Parish Council gained legal authority from Cornwall Council last spring, to produce a plan for the entire Parish of Mylor, not just the two main villages of Mylor Bridge and Flushing. By July we had elected a Steering Group with a chair, a project manager and an administrator. By September, after some preliminary work to plan the project, we had recruited volunteers onto our ‘topic’ groups. Then the serious work began, to gather information, research the facts and ask people for ideas and opinions about transport, facilities, business, the environment and – crucially – housing.

Over the past few months many people have talked to us at local events and have shared ideas on postcards. Every comment goes towards our evidence gathering to find out what the community wants to preserve or change.

Now, through the mass survey, we can all give our views about the type and style of housing that could be acceptable in potential new developments, the impact of holiday homes and second homes on our communities, and the knock on effects on traffic, parking, facilities and the environment. Our answers will inform what happens next: further work over the spring and summer on smaller surveys, focus groups and community workshops, to help shape the policies that go into the plan. One important part of this will be a detailed analysis of housing needs in the parish, so that we can gain a deep understanding of what the community needs for the future.

Overall, our work towards the Neighbourhood Development Plan looks like this:

• Phase 1: our research so far, leading up to the survey.
• Phase 2: from summer 2018, further work to develop policies which will go to a second survey
• Phase 3: following some consultation with the community and government bodies, a final draft of the plan
• Phase 4: the plan goes to the Local Planning Authority to ensure it is legal and compliant with higher level plans (for example the Cornwall Local Plan), then – following any necessary adjustments – a final referendum in spring 2019 in which Mylor Parish votes on the final contents of the plan.

If 50% are in favour, the Neighbourhood Development Plan becomes law. It will provide planning policies that reflect our views as a community and will shape the future of land use for housing developments and the associated impact on facilities, transport and the environment. The Local Planning Authority will have to abide by it.

So it really is important that you complete the survey which will arrive next week.

It is our plan and our future. Have your say and help to form the future of planning in our parish for yourself and your family.