Plan to bring 1,000 jobs to community (From Gazette Series)

Plan to bring 1,000 jobs to community

CAM and Dursley are set to be revitalised by more than 1,000 new jobs.

That is the aim of community leaders as Vale Vision launches its Community Strategic Plan tomorrow.

Issues as wide ranging as transport, health and the environment are covered by the plan, although the economic future of the area is the key topic.

Vale Vision chairman, Dursley town councillor Geoff Wheeler, said the local economy was central to the whole plan.

"We must make sure that we get the 1,000-plus jobs on the Littlecombe site and also develop other sites in the area like Draycott.

"There must also be the provision of basic skills and upgrade skills that will allow people in the area to work in these new jobs."

Cllr Wheeler went on to explain that the extra jobs and houses on the Littlecombe site would in turn revitalise the town centre, helping the tourist trade.

"We hope that people would want to stay here for a while with the improvements that could be made," he added.

It is also emphasised in the strategic plan that the Littlecombe site must be seen to integrate fully with the existing communities of Cam and Dursley.

Stroud MP David Drew stressed the importance of giving the Littlecombe project renewed impetus, which would in turn help other schemes in the area.

He said: "We need to get a balance between business needs and what the community wants.

"There must be sufficient jobs here first - houses cannot be built without jobs for the people who will live in them."

Dursley Town Mayor Cllr Jane Ball echoed this sentiment.

"We don't want Dursley to become a dormitory town," she said, "The more jobs and businesses we can attract to the town the better."

As well as the economic angle, the Community Strategic Plan focuses on the environment, social and community issues, health, transport and traffic, culture, heritage, sport, leisure and many other aspects of life in the area.

The plan is launched amid a day of fun and celebrations at Kingshill House in Dursley (10am-4pm), where everyone is welcome to attend to find out more.

For people who do not have their own transport there is a bus service to and from the launch, which visits Dursley, Cam, Coaley, Uley and Slimbridge.