LEDBURY'S Town Plan was launched last Friday, May 6, with a celebration in The Burgage Hall.

The plan is one of the cornerstones of future development in Ledbury, alongside the Neighbourhood Plan, which is still being developed, and Herefordshire Council's Core Strategy.

The Town Plan in particular deals with maintaining and improving the quality of life and services in Ledbury.

The plan has been in development for nearly four years and now it is in print.

The event was attended by the Mayor of Ledbury, Cllr Annette Crowe, who said:

"This comprehensive Town Plan owes everything to the community of Ledbury for its development - the 2,859 residents who completed the Household Questionnaire, the many young people who gave us their opinions in surveys, and in particular this evening the many people who helped in the process by delivering and collecting the Household Questionnaires, keying the data for analysis, developing the action sheets, and making things happen in all kinds of ways."

Cllr Crowe added: "The Town Plan provides the Town and the Council with a clear list of objectives to maintain and improve the quality of life and services in the town".

The aim of the plan is wide-ranging, from ensuring that housing needs are met for local people to increasing opportunities for local employment and new businesses.

Other aims include supporting efficient health facilities; expanding sports facilities for young and old, and traffic management.

The plan also looks at ways to encouraging more people to visit Ledbury and shop in the town centre, and how to make sure train and bus services are retained and improved.

Cllr Liz Harvey, Chairman of the 2016 town plan group, said: “Creating a new Town Plan for Ledbury has been a long haul and I’m so pleased and grateful to all those who have helped us at every stage. The plan looks fabulous and is filled with so many excellent ideas and important issues which local residents have fed in to us throughout the programme.

"The 2016 plan provides a firm blueprint for the Town Council. I look forward to turning these ideas into action; alongside the many groups throughout the town and beyond who will each have their special parts to play.”

Hard copies of the plan will be distributed to local groups and will be available to read and borrow in the Library.

The full plan will soon be downloadable from the Town Council website (www.LedburyTownCouncil.gov.uk)