SML's public consultation campaign rounds off in style

*Chris Burton plays on the SML stand in Centenary Square. 

The last in the current series of public consultation exercises by the team of volunteers putting together Llangollen’s contribution to the county council’s next Local Development Plan was held in Centenary Square yesterday (Saturday) and was a big success.

Shape My Llangollen (SML) was formed last year at the behest of the Town Council to produce a 'place plan' for Llangollen.

The idea is that this plan, when approved and endorsed by the Town Council, will feed into the new emerging Local Development Plan being produced by Denbighshire County Council.

The plan will cover topics such as the natural environment, built environment, economy, and community and is a genuine opportunity for some grassroots democracy.

SML is therefore engaged upon a far-ranging consultation exercise contacting groups and individuals to seek their views on any issues which affect or concern them so that they can have an input into the plan.

Over the past month or so the team has been hosting a series of consultation events to introduce themselves to the public and to get their views.

The first of these was held on May 7 at Llangollen Health Centre when throughout the day team members spoke to scores of people to gain their feedback.

The second successful session was held outside the Co-op store in Regent Street on May 13 when, again, SML gained lots of useful responses from shoppers.

The third question-and-answer session was held outside the Home Bargains store, next to Aldi, on May 23 and it was once again a huge hit with those who took part.

To round off the process in style, the final session was held in Centenary Square yesterday.

And scores of people called in at our stand to answer a set of simple questions related to the town’s future.

Just to give the event a party atmosphere there was some great live music from guitar man Chris Burton throughout the day. 

SML chair Phil Robinson said: "We'd were delighted by the response we had from residents and also visitors to the town.

"The four consultation sessions have produced some fantastic answers from the people who were kind enough to spare us a few minutes of their time.

"This feedback will be invaluable in preparing our final report by the autumn and we’ll be back on the road later in the summer to give people the chance to have a look and comment on our findings.

"As far as we know this is the largest and most exhaustive consultation process which has ever taken place in Llangollen.

“The whole consultation process has been a fantastic example of the people of this town having their say on some vital issues and I'd like to thank everyone who has contributed so far.

"Hot hot topics hve been parking and traffic problems but people have also oned a host of other things to us."

The questions SML is asking are:

1. What makes you happy about Llangollen?

2. What makes you sad about Llangollen?

3. What makes you mad about Llangollen?

4. How would you make Llangollen better?

5. How would you spend £10,000 for Llangollen’s future?

People who were unable to make it to the meet-the-public sessions can fill in one of the question sheets which are available in the Town Hall office.