Kirkby Lonsdale Town Team

May Update

The consultation phase of developing a Place Plan for Kirkby Lonsdale is drawing to a close. The Team would like to thank all organisations and individuals who have submitted their views, it is much appreciated and has been very helpful.

Views have been submitted though the various events held or attended by the Team; by completing the questionnaire; via the QR code; or in the case of organisations, responding to a specific request. 

Comments have been many and varied, covering topics such as parking, transport, young people, local services, sport and recreation, housing etc. If we were to take on board suggestions from a younger member of the community, we would have a McDonalds and a Pizza Express in the town!!

Many people said what a wonderful town we live in, that it is safe and welcoming and has residents and businesses who are friendly and helpful.

We are continuing to consider comments received, particularly from local groups and organisations, and as we reported last month, we are grouping the feedback into six distinct areas. 

We used these six categories to produce display boards at our drop-in session at the Lunesdale Hall on 26 March. In all there were nine display boards, three outlining the background to the development of the Place Plan and summarising the results of the consultation so far; and six providing feedback ‘This is what you said’ and asking for solutions and ideas to address the issues raised. 

About 50 people attended the drop-in session and gave their views and/or discussed issues with the Team members present. We are grateful to the Lunesdale Hall for providing the venue and Robin Ree for taking the photographs. 

What happens next?

The Team are now developing a long list of projects and initiatives which address the issues raised. We will identify the group or organisation taking the lead, together with other parties who will have a role to play. This might be the Town Council, Chamber of Trade, Community Interest Company (CIC), Queen Elizabeth School, Westmorland and Furness Council, etc. We will put a timescale against these projects or initiatives. Once a draft programme has been agreed within the Team we will be asking for your views on what should be given priority.

In parallel we are writing the Place Plan itself, which will provide the context for the programme, provide a clear vision for the town and set out how the programme will be implemented. 

We will continue to provide updates through AKL, social
media and through posters in the town. Our website
contains further information.

The Town Team is the organisation that has submitted the town’s Expression of Interest to become one of the UK’s Towns of Culture 2027. Marie Batty from the CIC wrote
the bid, which is an extremely complex and compelling document. Our sincere thanks to her and fingers crossed
for a positive outcome.

Once again, many thanks for your participation and support.