by James Scott
jscott@thekmgroup.co.uk

Residents in Wye are putting together a plan for the village which could give them more influence over future proposals by Imperial College.

Wye with Hinxhill Parish Council is hoping to test the strength of new legislation granted to communities under the Localism Act.

The council wants villagers to help them form a Neighbourhood Plan, a document setting out the kind of housing and schemes the community would approve of.

The parish council is holding an open evening for the whole community at St Gregory and St Martin Church from 7.15pm next Wednesday, July 4.

Chairman Cllr Tony Shoults, who will also chair the new Neighbourhood Plan group, said: “This is a vital time for residents to agree what is important to us.
“We need to set out our vision for Wye for the next 15 to 20 years as a sustainable rural community.”

At the meeting, people will be asked what they think is good about Wye, what is bad or needs changing, and how they would like to see the village in the future. In July a questionnaire will be sent to every household.

A key area for discussion will be the future use of Wye College’s extensive buildings, facilities and agricultural land.

It is hoped the plan will be used to help inform the future proposals for the former Wye College campus owned by Imperial College London.

Full story in this week's Kentish Express.