Last updated 17:34, Friday, 03 October 2008

RESIDENTS in Windermere and Bowness are on their way to forming a new community plan.

They also took the opportunity to raise issues that could be addressed in the new Windermere Town Plan.

The residents, who gathered into groups for the event, discussed six topics – community safety, the physical environment, housing and employment, community and consultation, traffic and transport and green and sustainability.

Their thoughts and concerns on each issue were collected and will be used to help formulate the new plan next year.

Windermere town councillor and mayor Bill Smith led the meeting. He said he hoped the discussion groups would get more people involved in the future of their community.

Cllr Smith said: “We haven’t done anything like this before and we are delighted with the response and turnout to the meeting.”

Work on a plan for the South Lakeland community began in 2006.

But Windermere deputy mayor, councillor Joan Stocker, said the council wanted to consult with residents.

Cllr Stocker said: “Many of the issues raised in our original action plan have been addressed, and some have not.

“Now, we want to find out what residents feel about the area and what can be done for the benefit of the community in the future.”