As someone who was born and grew up in Marton, Simon knows how important it is that this special part of Middlesbrough isn’t damaged by developers. Local Conservatives are fighting to ensure this is the case. Simon has met Councillors Chris and John Hobson to hear how they have helped people in Marton take back control of planning issues through the new Marton West Neighbourhood Plan, which will help protect Marton’s unique character long into the future.
The Marton West Neighbourhood Plan has been years in the making. Drawn up with lots of local input led by Chris and John and the Marton West Neighbourhood Forum, it has just come into force following a referendum at the end of 2016 when it won an overwhelming 89% support from Marton West residents.
Neighbourhood plans were introduced by the Government in 2011 and run for up to 15 years (in Marton West’s case, 2016-2029). The plans allow the community to choose where it wants new homes to be built, to have their say on what those new buildings should look like - for example, the Marton West plan says new buildings should not be over 2 or 2½ stories - and to protect the landscape and ethos of their area. It is a legal requirement for the plan to be considered when new building applications are made in the future.
The Marton West plan covers all three parts of the ward – Gunnergate Lane, the McInnes Estate (where Simon, Chris and John are pictured on Tewkesbury Avenue) and Eagle Park. You can read the plan here.
Simon said, “We need new homes but they have to have the right infrastructure in place like roads, school places and GPs. They also need to fit in with the character of the area.
“Chris and John have done people in Marton West a real service with years of hard work going into writing the plan, taking it through Middlesbrough Council and securing overwhelming support in the referendum. It’s a great example of local Conservatives delivering for our area.”