Planet Shaftesbury working meeting

The Town Council has already adopted the Sustainable Shaftesbury vision & Masterplan and with the new council in place we will explore next steps for the following potential projects: come along especially if one of these might provide you with a motivating focus!

Build support for a community climate resource space (hub) to encompass information on energy, recycling, repairs, sharing tools etc. For inspiration see https://weymouthclimatehub.com/ Current point of contact: Richard Thomas

Planning: monitoring applications submitted and subsequent development to ensure that opportunities for enhancing biodiversity are recognised, commitments fulfilled and appropriate continuing management plans sustained. Current contact: Diana Harris

Promote sustainable local food producers, outlets and consumption, linking to the Wellness programme and food poverty initiatives. (Much of the relevant information was compiled during 2023 and this links to the Dorset-wide discussion of Sustainable Food Places - see below.) Current contact: Karen Wimhurst

Explore alternative local transport solutions to reducing car use such as car club, cycle taxis (eg. tuk tuk), electric shuttle bus, scooters. Current point of contact: Richard Thomas

Implement a land mapping exercise for Shaftesbury & surrounding area to detail land use, area, ownership and other key information with the potential to identify opportunities and trade-offs for energy, nature, food, connectivity and other uses. Current contact: Beth Lewis

Support the creation of a community interest company (CIC) to produce clean energy with profits used to benefit the community (eg. insulation retrofitting or PV installations). Current contact: Rachel Bodle

Support the council in improved land management and natural area maintenance to ensure that the philosophy that underpins (updated) management plans is embedded in the activities undertaken by staff and contractors. Current contact: Mike Cummings

The meeting will take place at 7.30pm in the snug (to left of the entrance) at The Grosvenor Arms. Open to all.