Vision for new gateway to Petworth

Steering group member Juliet Fynes reported to fellow members of Petworth Town Council on the group’s progress.

She said the two working parties ‘creating a sense of place’ and ‘supporting a vibrant retail economy’ had been working hard on their themes and had also been liaising with the group currently drawing up the town’s neighbourhood plan.

In particular it had a bank account now and funds to begin designing projects.

“The first is to create a welcoming entrance from the main car park to encourage visitors to explore the town,” she said.

A competition is being held for architects to design a gateway which the Vision group hope they will be able to bring to life. “So things are on the move with the Petworth Vision,” Mrs Fynes told the town council. Petworth residents were invited to an open meeting to hear how other ideas were being put into practice. Chichester District Council representative Janet Duncton welcomed members of the public to the meeting in The Leconfield Hall.

“What Petworth Vision is about is keeping Petworth and its residents and businesses fit for the future,” she said.

“It’s not often that things just happen. Someone or some event usually sets communities on a way forward and this in some way is what we are trying to do.”

She added: “For communities to flourish you need a variety of things, some made up of opportunities, some helping business to thrive and for all that we have to better advantage which includes finding ways for people and traffic to live in good or better ways together.”

She said little could be achieved without funding and councils, businesses and individuals would be asked to contribute to projects in the future.

“The 21st century way is more and more becoming about self help,” she told the meeting.” She said the Vision was separate from the neighbourhood plan “although we most definitely talk to one another.”

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