Dan Etchells

Member since 22 February 2024

Recently retired Civil Servant, living in Longlevens.

All input submitted by this participant

There are 7 projects available.

Trending ideas have loaded.

Dan Etchells2 years ago For me, the trite answer is 'do everything in that table, and it'll all be grand!!'.But, looking at it - we should have a strategy, which we should communicate, clearly, to all stakeholders. That should include how people can help, how they can change things, etc.Built - We should show people where we are, where we intend to go. We should signpost resources available to them to change their built environment - grants, guides, etc. We should make clear statements, supporting and aligned to Net Zero - 'gas boilers are going, this is how you make the transition', etc.Natural - Should make clear where we're going, and ask people to help - volunteers, etc.Movement - Make clear what's happening. I'd like us to make a yes / no decision on e-scooters, and - if yes - look at opening up travel on them between Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bishops Cleeve - maybe Tewkesbury.I'd like to see major footpaths - Wyvern Way / Severn Way invested in and improved. Renewable -We should signpost opportunities for people to 'make a change'. Grants, loans etc.Maybe pilot activity - select a small area, install alternate energy sources, publicise??Commit to x% of public buildings using rain water, solar power etc.

Dan Etchells2 years ago Some comments on the Draft Vision -Para 1 - is it only green growth which will provide this, or is it growth, including green growth?? What if green growth is curtailed, or simply doesn't happen?? Para 2 - presumably we want to attract a younger workforce, whilst motivating, re-skilling and retaining those already there, and attracting the right, new older workforce too?? Para 3 - housing - should this call out the need for appropriate build standards, minimising ongoing energy consumption, etc.??Para 4 - should this be explicit in calling out active / sustainable / public transport as being the priority, at the expense of private??General - should something be said about linkage to surrounding areas?? Playing a role?? Join up?? Engagement?? General - overall, really like the Draft Vision, it is quite long, however - should some of this be moved elsewhere??

Dan Etchells2 years ago Seems very likely - as indicated by the voting exercise - that a blend of scenarios will be adopted.So, my additional scenario is simply an acceptance that we cannot follow one path, we need to follow a blended approach.#For me - as I voted - that is probably a focus on Urban Extension, New Strategic Settlement and Sustainable Transport, with a small element of Urban Concentration.Presumably there is uncertainty around budgets etc. so this kind of approach ought to provide some flexibility??

Dan Etchells2 years ago I suppose it's obvious - but we need the right amounts, of all of the right types of housing, available at the right time, at the right price.Easy, eh??I'm interested - if national planning policy makes this clear, does our local plan provide for this, and are we delivering against that?? If not, what do we need to do differently in the future??Student accommodation - for example - there's a lot which has been built in Gloucester - is that within the plan. Is is provided publically or privately?? Is it affordable for students, does the cost of it stop some people being students??For me - We need more housing which is affordable for people who are struggling.We need to ensure that all housing is of decent quality. We need to ensure landlords are behaving appropriately.We need housing for all demographics.We need housing which helps us look after each other and fosters communities.We need to ensure our housing supports the move to Net Zero.We need housing which promotes the ability to work and live locally - remove the commute.

Dan Etchells2 years ago How could the Strategic and Local Plan best enable change and encourage investment to support our city and town centres to adapt, evolve and thrive?The answer here is clarity, isn't it?? Being able to say, clearly, to existing and prospective businesses / employers / investors "Our strategy for our city and town centres, until 2040 (or further) is <x>. To enable this, we are committed to improvement of transport links into these places, population growth of <y>, £Z funding is committed to this, we will ensure planning approvals are focussed on supporting these aims wherever possible' is key, is it not?? How can the Strategic and Local Plan protect and encourage essential shops, services and facilities in villages and rural areas?Again - clarity - make a statement on what must be sustained within villages and rural areas, and be clear on what will be done to support that - grants, business rate reviews, funding, etc.

Dan Etchells2 years ago The Draft Vision says - "Investment in training, skills and development will have attracted and retained a younger workforce and provided new premises and flexible workspaces to support a flourishing circular economy in both urban and rural areas. Inward investment, innovation and growth in key sectors including, amongst others, cyber and digital-tech, food/agri-tech, advanced engineering and tourism will have been fostered."I commented that we need a younger workforce while retaining and reskilling those already here.So - what needs to happen.We need a strategy - what do we want. Do we specialise?? Do we diversify??How do we move towards that. Does the Cyber Park in Cheltenham play a role?? Is it recognised?? Do we know the plans of big employers in our area?? Are we attractive to them??

Dan Etchells2 years ago Climate Change - Overall, really like this.7 - should this say 'reduce waste and promote reuse & recycling'??General - should it call out contribution to Net Zero explicitly.General - should it call out, linkage to surrounding / area / national activity??Urban & Rural Economies - Again, overall really good.6 - should this call out full-fibre, or simply say 'appropriate, modern' - full-fibre may not be needed, or may be obsolete by 2040. City & Town Centres -1 - Should 'needs of communities' be something like 'needs of all our communities'?? Feels more inclusive of diversity, disability, etc.General - should there be something on 'enabling everyone to feel safe and included'??Homes - General - should this address affordability, in some way??2 - should this call out the need for build standards which help the move to Net Zero - insulation, move away from gas CH, etc.?? Beautiful & Safe Places - What buildings are these?? Public?? All??General - unless I'm missing it, nothing here addresses 'safe'?? Transport - General - overall, fully support all of this, but should it be explicit about saying 'key services and opportunities to work are available'?? Environment -Like all of that.Healthy & Resilient Communities -General - could this call out 'all members of our communities, of all demographics' or something to increase sense of inclusion??