Brampton residents asked to comment on economic plan

(Date of issue: Monday, 20 April 2009)

Brampton residents are being asked to have their say on draft plans to boost their local economy.

An Economic Action Plan has been drawn together and sets out a number of proposals for the town of Brampton and its rural area. Views are being sought on four main areas: Enhancing Brampton’s Role as a 21st Century Market Town; Improving the Brampton Area Experience; the Relationship Between Town and Rural Area and Sustaining New and Existing Businesses. The deadline for responses is Wednesday, 29 May.

To coincide with the consultation, events have been organised on the following days and venues:

An online version of the plan, with the opportunity to comment, is also available by visiting www.carlisle.gov.uk/brampton

The Brampton Economic Action Plan has been produced by the Brampton Economic Action Group. It includes Brampton Community Association, Brampton Chamber of Trade, Brampton Parish Council (representing Brampton Area Parish Planning Group), Carlisle City Council, Hadrian’s Wall Heritage, National Farmers Union, Rural Women’s Network, a representative of the tourism sector and Sustainable Brampton.

Carlisle City Cllr Marilyn Bowman, Portfolio holder for Economic Development and Enterprise, said:

“The group came together with the specific purpose of producing a plan that will help the rural area be economically vibrant and sustainable and for Brampton to be a market town able to face the challenges of the 21st Century.

“The plan is a draft and we hope that local people will comment on the proposals or come up with their own alternative ideas. We want to hear from individuals and organisations interested in making things happen.”

Alison Cheetham, Chair of Brampton Chamber of Trade, who is a member of the Brampton Economic Action Group, added:

'We are pleased that Brampton has been able to enlist such a great level of support in its economic future and that we have been able to come up with an action plan that we think will benefit Brampton and the surrounding area. We are keen to know what the local people want - what is a priority for Brampton - is it on the action plan, have we missed something, have we got it right and what should we tackle first? Please support Brampton and visit one of the consultation events.

The deadline for comments is Friday, 29 May 2009. Please email completed response forms to: LisaJ@carlisle.gov.uk  or send to: Lisa Johnston, Development Services, Carlisle City Council, Civic Centre, Carlisle, CA3 8QG.