Commencing in November 2009, extensive consultation has been carried out over the emerging Highfield Farm proposals.  This consultation activity has included: media relations with the local press and radio, update letters and a dedicated project Website, one to one meetings, public exhibitions and on-going discussions with statutory and non-statutory consultees (See Section 4 Consultation Activities).

CDC’s LDF Statement of Community Involvement Your Part in the new planning system’ (SCI May 2010) and protocols over public consultation have all informed this consultation exercise.

In November 2009, local residents, interest groups and councillors were invited to attend an exhibition at Sir William Romney School, Tetbury which was publicised through: invitations to local households, advertisements on local noticeboards/the school, a project Website and local media editorial.  At the exhibition, 4 members of the development team were on hand to explain the emerging proposals and respond to questions.  No specific scheme design was displayed at this meeting but details of the development area and associated landscaping were displayed.  Comment forms were provided for attendees to give feedback.  Feedback was also received throughout the pre-submission consultation programme via the dedicated project Website and telephone contact point.

75 people attended the exhibition 32-questionnaires/feedback forms and 40 comment sheets were received.  Following the initial exhibition additional online feedback and follow up meetings were conducted.

Respondents generally wanted to obtain further information on the proposals (See Section 5: Feedback).  There was particular interest in the landscaping proposals associated with the proposals.  In response to feedback from the public the development team acting on behalf of We: answered individual requests for additional specialist information, met with stakeholders on a one to one basis.  In addition WPB have continued to liaise with statutory consultees including the Environment Agency and to take on board their comments.

In February 2010, a second exhibition was held at Dolphins Hall, Tetbury local residents, interest groups and councillors Were invited to a briefing and exhibition which was publicised through: invitations to local households, advertisements on local noticeboards/the school, a project Website and local media editorial.  At the exhibition, 4 members of the development team were on hand to explain the emerging proposals and respond to questions.  A specific scheme design was displayed at this meeting along with details of the development area and associated landscaping.  A number of changes were incorporated following the initial consultation exhibition and follow-up discussions (See Section 6 Response to Consultation Feedback). Details of frontage treatments including elevations were displayed.  Comment forms were provided for attendees to give feedback.  Feedback was also received throughout the pre-submission consultation programme via the dedicated project Website and telephone contact point.

110 people attended the exhibition 55 questionnaires /feedback forms/comment sheets were received.  Following the initial exhibition additional online feedback and follow up meetings were conducted.

Respondents generally welcomed the revised scheme and additional information on the proposals (See Section 5: Feedback).  There was particular interest in the EIA and the landscaping measures associated with the proposals.  In response to feedback from the public the development team acting on behalf of We: answered individual requests for additional specialist information and met with stakeholders on a one to one basis.  In addition WPB have continued to liaise with statutory consultees including the Environment Agency and to take on board their comments.

In addition to the public exhibitions three meetings have been held with Tetbury Town Council.  The first meeting involved a briefing on the proposals whilst the second meeting specifically sought details of the Council’s priorities for community infrastructure investment. The third meeting sought specific details over related community infrastructure proposals.

Three meetings have held with Tetbury Upton Parish Council. The first meeting involved a briefing on the proposals whilst the second meeting specifically sought details of the Council’s priorities for community infrastructure investment.  The third meeting (10.02.11) sought specific details over related community infrastructure proposals.

Two meetings have been held with the Town of Tetbury Feofees.  The agreement of the riparian owner has been sought to enable piped connection to the Splash (Preston Park).  Unfortunately this was declined following concerns over potential liabilities for third party discharges into the piped connection given previous incidents at Millennium Green, Tetbury.

A Public Meeting into the future needs of Tetbury was organised by Tetbury Town Council on 6 March 2010.

Following local support for the refinement of proposals for a replacement community hall (Dolphins Hall) in Tetbury, a public consultation event was run to gauge views on this proposal.   Two public meetings on these proposals took place on 28 February 2011 and 28 March 2011.

A Cotswold District Council event took place on 4 March 2011 in connection with the consultation over the Second Issues and Options Paper, CDC September 2010).  The planning application was submitted shortly after this event.