Saltash to give residents a say on the town’s future plans

Saltash is putting together a planning document that could shape how the town approaches housing, transport and public spaces for years ahead. And residents will be asked to help decide what matters most.

Saltash Town Council has confirmed it will submit a Neighbourhood Priorities Statement before an October 2027 deadline, with the first stage of the work already complete.

What the council has agreed

At recent committee meetings, members confirmed and reaffirmed the Town Council’s commitment to submitting the statement on time.

Cornwall Council has now issued a ‘Designation of a Neighbourhood Area’ notice to Saltash Town Council, approving the area that will be used to create the statement. A map produced alongside the notice sets out the boundary of that Neighbourhood Area.

What a Neighbourhood Priorities Statement does

A Neighbourhood Priorities Statement, or NPS, is a community-led planning document. It lets Town and Parish Councils set out local needs, infrastructure requirements and the design preferences of residents.

The statement is meant to reflect what residents think about housing, the natural environment, transport and public spaces. It is a quicker process than a full Neighbourhood Development Plan.

An NPS also has clear limits. It does not include formal planning policies, it does not allocate land for development, and it does not require an independent examination or a local referendum.

The steps ahead

Preparing and submitting the statement involves five stages:

1. Designating the area. Completed by Saltash Town Council and Cornwall Council.
2. Gathering evidence. Collecting data on the area’s strengths and weaknesses, with public engagement sessions and surveys forming part of the research.
3. Drafting the statement. This will include a long-term vision, objectives, a prioritised list of local issues and a key map.
4. Holding a public consultation. The draft will be presented to the community and local stakeholders for feedback.
5. Finalising and submitting. The statement will be amended based on that feedback before it is submitted.

Housing and transport in focus

The Town Council says it is committed to making sure Saltash has a balanced range of affordable housing, working in partnership with Cornwall Council. It has also pledged to keep working with key stakeholders to support access to affordable and accessible transport in the town.

Saltash Mayor Cllr Brian Stoyel said the statement would give people a real chance to influence what happens next.

“The Neighbourhood Priorities Statement will provide an important opportunity for residents and businesses to share their views on the future of Saltash.

Saltash Town Council is committed to listening to our community and ensuring local priorities are effectively represented as we continue working with our partners to support the needs of our town.”

With public engagement sessions and surveys still to come, residents who want to follow the project or get involved are being advised to subscribe to Planning and Licensing updates through the Town Council’s website.