Chance to catch up on district plans

Cannock and Rugeley residents have a chance to catch up with Cannock Chase Council's biggest ever consultation roadshow next week.

The special exhibition allowing people to have their say about the future of the district is visiting the town centres next Thursday and Friday).

New roadshow dates have also been added for Norton Canes and Cannock Wood.

Those taking part could win £500 in a free draw, while anyone completing and returning a questionnaire will also have the chance to be part of a focus group which will discuss the future plans for the district in more detail.

The roadshow will be in Market Square, Rugeley from 10am-3pm on the Thursday, Cannock town centre from 10am-3pm on the Friday, Norton Canes Library and the Co-op from 3pm-6pm on September 1 and from 3pm-6.30pm on September 2, and Cannock Wood Country Fair at Gentleshaw Village Hall from 11am-5pm September 13.

Council officers will be on hand to answer questions and copies of a consultation leaflet and prize draw questionnaire will be available.

Although the consultation doesn't end until mid-September, these are the last visits of the exhibition to town centre venues after touring the whole district. The council launched the Ask The Public campaign in July as part of drawing up a new Local Development Framework to guide development of the Cannock Chase area over the next 15 years.

A special edition of the council's newsletter, Chase Matters, has been circulated to every one of the 42,000 households in the district with a reply-paid questionnaire.

As a thank you for joining in, all completed questionnaires returned by September 12 will be entered in a draw for a £500 prize.

Planning Officers have already staffed various exhibitions across the district and have been discussing a range of important issues with residents, including the location of new housing developments, the future status of Greenbelt and Greenfield land, regeneration plans for areas such as Hednesford, leisure facilities for young people and employment opportunities. The questionnaire is also available on-line at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk, together with much more detailed information and a full Core Strategy Issues and Options Consultation document.

There is also a more detailed on-line questionnaire.

Anyone who has difficulty with reading or completing the questionnaire, can contact the council's planning policy team on 01543 462621.

Additional questionnaires for completion by other family members are available from the same number.

Based on the results, the council will draw up a set of preferred options for further consultation next year.