Dinnington hoping to launch its own neighbourhood plan

The initiative — which would be the first in the Rotherham borough — would give people in the town more power and ensure they are in line with what the community wants.

Dinnington Town Council will hold a public meeting next month and hopes to set up a committee, including members of the public and business owners in the town.

Chairman Cllr Dave Smith said: “The plan would give us a lot more power over applications.

“For example, there are 1,300 homes earmarked for Dinnington in Rotherham Borough Council’s Local Plan.

“As it stands, we wouldn’t get any say on the proposals or what kind of houses they are.

“The neighbourhood plan would also give us a lot more say about revamping the town centre.

“It would give the community a lot more influence in what happens in Dinnington rather than being told what’s going to happen.”

The town council hopes to draw up the document after the meeting on June 11. It will then need to be approved by people in the town at a referendum.

Cllr Smith said: “I am the driving force behind it, but unless we can get the support of the community we won’t do it.

“It’s important to note that it’s not the town council’s local plan, it’s the people of Dinnington’s plan.

“Unless we can get together and get the support of the community, we won’t do it. We can’t be wasting our time because, at the end of the process, we’ll have to have a referendum.”

Cllr Smith said Dinnington was still “feeling the effects” of the closure of the town’s colliery 24 years ago.

He said the plan would allow people in the town to influence which businesses can come to the town.

Cllr Smith added: “Sheffield Hallam University did a project on all of Yorkshire’s former pit towns and villages and we’re all suffering from decline.

“But there is no point sitting on the sidelines throwing bricks around, we’re either going to do it or not.”

The town council will hold the first meeting about the neighbourhood plan at The Lyric, Laughton Road, on Saturday, June 11 from 11am.