Local people in the Newtown area of Exeter are being asked to share their thoughts on draft improvement plans for the Newtown Community Project.
The project is led by Exeter City Council, as part of the Live and Move programme, funded by Sport England and delivered in partnership with Devon County Council. It aims to improve everyday life and journeys in Newtown by making it easier and safer to get around as well as enhancing access to green spaces for everyone.
Draft plans have been developed following a residents’ survey conducted by Exeter City Council in 2021. The survey found that there is a strong sense of community in Newtown, and that support was needed to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and safer. The survey also reported that congestion can sometimes be an issue and that residents would like to see changes to community facilities and green spaces.
People living in the area are now being asked to share their thoughts on the draft plans. At the same time, the Live and Move team at the City Council will be engaging with local organisations and other stakeholders to get further feedback.
Matthew Vizard, Exeter City Councillor for Newtown and St Leonards and Portfolio Holder for Climate, Ecological Change & Communities, says that the team is seeking the views of as many local residents and organisations as possible to ensure that any initiatives carried out are what the local community want to see.
He added: “It’s important to emphasise the word draft here because these plans are not set in stone, although they are based upon what residents said back in 2021. I’m in no doubt that everybody living in this area of Exeter will have a view on what changes they might like to see in Newtown. And whatever those are, we’d really like to hear about them so that we can ensure that decisions are made by the community and for the community.”
As well as improving general wellbeing in the area, those involved in this piece of work say that it will help support Newtown residents to play their part in tackling the climate emergency.
Devon County Councillor and Newtown resident Su Aves said that she welcomes this consultation.
She said: “As a resident of the Newtown area myself, I’m really pleased to see that plans are in place to engage with the community around these proposals. I encourage anybody who lives in the area to have their say, and to speak up about the changes that they’d like to see.”
Sport England is supporting this project through the Live and Move programme, whilst Exeter City Council and Devon County Council will help to deliver it.
The draft plans are available at liveandmove.co.uk/Newtown. Larger copies of the plans will be available at the Civic Centre and during public information events held in the next few weeks. Residents can share their thoughts on the draft plans via a digital survey.
All information regarding this project, including the engagement survey and dates of public events, can be found at liveandmove.co.uk/Newtown.