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Residents share aspirations
for Formby Coast
THE National Trust, in Formby, held another
coastal consultation event at the Gild Hall, Formby, on 17 July 2017. The event
was put on to hear local people's thoughts about the plans for the Trust to take
over the land currently owned by Sefton Council. If the deal is approved by the
Sefton Cabinet, it will see the Trust taking over an additional 204 hectares of
land at Lifeboat Road and Ravenmeols. The hope is that this will help protect
the area from development and its wildlife. The event had workshops and displays
that explored the ideas and options, also giving locals a chance to have a say
in what will be a very important move for the area that provides a wonderful
habitat for rare red squirrels, sand lizards, Northern Dune Tiger Beetles and
the rare Natterjack toad, to name just a few.
Over 150 people joined in conversations with Trust staff and volunteers during
the Open Day and the preceding Formby Festival. Workshops also ran on a range of
topics. Views were sought on everything from what people would like Formby Point
to look like in 50 years time and the threat posed by coastal erosion, to how to
tackle the challenges of parking on busy days and improve nature conservation. Many suggestions
were made for solutions to these challenges and areas for the Trust to consider
as it moves forward with developing future plans.
Joanne Hudson, General Manager for the National Trust, commented:- "We
were really pleased by the number of people who attended to share their
thoughts, aspirations and concerns about how we manage this special place for
the benefit of future generations. We are committed to continuing to work
closely with the community to enhance Formby Point and to tackle the challenges
facing this dynamic and constantly evolving landscape. We have also held
separate stakeholder meetings to talk to individuals and groups representing all
aspects of the local community and businesses. The insight gathered at these
events will help shape our thinking at Formby and we will be holding similar
events in coming months as our plans shape up."
Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council's Cabinet
Member for Locality Services, said:- "Our entire stunning coast is very
important to us and we are always looking at ways of improving it for the
benefit of our local communities and visitors to the borough. The Open Day
hosted by the National Trust will give people the chance to share their thoughts
on how the Formby coast can be enhanced even further. Please take the time to
attend and get involved."
In addition to the Open Day and stakeholder meetings, the National Trust has
also established a Community Involvement Panel. This working group includes a
cross-section of local people whose role is to represent the local community.
The Panel will play an important role in ensuring that the voice of the
community is heard throughout the development of any future plans for the Coast.
Please do let us know your views on this issue
as we are collecting them for the National Trust. If you want us to pass them
on, please let us know if you want your name and information included or just
your comments. Email your thoughts on this subject to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.Com and clearly put in the subject header,
National Trust Formby Views. We will also be looking at publishing some of them
in the near future.
Future public opportunities for residents to get involved in shaping plans for
Formby can be located, as well, on the National Trust's
website.
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