Analysis of the Neighbourhood Plan questionnaire shows im-proved retail provision is the key priority for residents, who like the refurbished town centre but would like to see more choice, more restaurants and bars and less vacant units.  Many residents shop elsewhere for clothing and household items.
Great Aycliffe Neighbourhood Plan is working closely with Durham County Council on this issue, as allocating additional retail floor space directly conflicts with its Local Plan.  Consultants are being requested to undertake a soft market analysis to determine whether national retailers would consider, what would be for them, a purely commercial decision to locate to Aycliffe.  Projected housing growth, the arrival of Hitachi and expansion of the Business Park may make a stronger case for improved retail provision in Aycliffe.
Angela Corner, the Community Neighbourhood Engagement Officer said, ‘Residents must understand that the Neighbourhood Plan is a statutory planning document, which makes allocations for land and business use  and sets planning rules which could facilitate the setting up or expansion of businesses.  It is not, however, a delivery mechanism.’
Respondents ranked the environment as their second priority, with the protection of the current green open spaces and the inclusion of green spaces in future development attracting many positive comments.  Lord Beveridge’s vision for the design of the town in the 1940s was for green open spaces for children to play safely and it is clear that the majority of residents share that vision today.  However, there is also some support for the partial development of some green areas to ease residential parking congestion.
As the third priority, residents highlighted housing, with the provision of bungalows and affordable housing, good design and renewable energy all identified as important.
Angela Corner said that the next stage of the Neighbourhood Plan is to set up thematic groups to address all the priorities highlighted, calling for the help of residents interested in the future of Aycliffe : ‘This is a community-led plan, we need residents to get involved by committing just a few hours a month to attend meetings and support our work.  We will be holding an event in Newton Aycliffe Youth and Community Centre on 21 February from 10am-12 noon and invite anyone interested to come along, meet the team and register an interest in getting involved.’