sbriggs@thekmgroup.co.uk

Neighbourhood planning came under the spotlight when Planning Minister Nick Boles visited Worth to meet villagers and Sandwich MP Laura Sandys.

The MP for Grantham and Stamford had time for a walk-about and praised the work of people who live in the community.

Ms Sandys said: “Neighbourhood planning is a very empowering tool, giving communities much greater powers to take control of how development happens in their area.

“I have been holding meetings, presentations and workshops on neighbourhood planning for local groups so it is exciting to see that it is really being embraced by local residents.

“Worth’s neighbourhood development plan is now in its final stage of consultation, making the village one of the very front-runners in the country.

“It was great for both the minister and representatives from other forums across Thanet and Sandwich to have the opportunity to speak with the residents in Worth about their experiences.

“What is particularly inspiring for me is how the neighbourhood plan appears to have really brought the community together.

“ The minister praised the work of local residents and spoke of how Worth was a prime example of the way neighbourhood planning should be working.”