Members’ meeting 11 September 2008 – Masonic Rooms, Campbell Street – 7.30 p.m.Planning for Belper’s FutureThe next meeting of the Members of Belper Civic Forum takes an in depth look at future planning pressures in the Belper area.Whilst the economic slowdown might have taken some of the urgency out of Tesco’s plans, the challenges and opportunities in planning for Belper have not gone away. New planning legislation requires councils to take a longer term view. New heritage legislation gives greater recognition to World Heritage Sites. New government policy statements on housing and on shopping make getting the right development on the Meadows Edge even more important. And a new regional plan has increased the target for new housing development in this area.Amber Valley Borough Council officers will be at this important meeting of Civic Forum members, to present their new exhibition on the Issues and Ideas for the next 20 years. The exhibition is a key event in setting a planning strategy to meet the challenges facing Belper: accommodating more housing, providing new local jobs, preserving our heritage and protecting our environment. Be amongst the first to hear how the Council proposes to turn these challenges into opportunities, and to contribute your ideas for shaping Belper’s future.The council officers will also give an update on the progress towards adopting a Development Brief for the Meadows Edge. We understand that work on the draft brief is well advanced. The Civic Forum’s own suggestions for the area, which were drawn up several months ago, are the subject of a new leaflet which will be launched at the meeting. Forum members have also completed a study of the hopes and fears of Belper’s small shopkeepers and the results of this will also be presented at this meeting.The meeting starts at 7.30pm in the Masonic Rooms, Campbell Street, and is a members only meeting, but others are encouraged to come along and join on the night. Through the Civic Forum, you have a rare chance to influence the Core Strategy which will shape the next stage in Belper’s development.