RESIDENTS gave their opinions on the future of Buntingford at Monday nights Community Voice meeting. The meeting, organised by East Herts District Council, residents discussed ways in which the new Local Development Framework (LDF) could benefit Bunting

RESIDENTS gave their opinions on the future of Buntingford at Monday nights' Community Voice meeting.

The meeting, organised by East Herts District Council, residents discussed ways in which the new Local Development Framework (LDF) could benefit Buntingford.

Cllr Stan Bull, district Councillor for Buntingford, said: "It was good to see so many people turning out.

"We are told there were more people in attendance than there have been at similar meetings in bigger towns, which just goes to show what good community spirit there is in Buntingford.

"People really pull together for things like this."

At the meeting, John Careford, planning officer at East Herts District Council, gave a short presentation explaining the function of the LDF and the way in which it will be implemented.

He explained that the district council hopes to conduct a formal consultation in 2009, with a view to implementing the LDF in 2011.

Residents then split into small groups and talked about the things they like and dislike about Buntingford, and ways in which the town could be improved.

Topics included better public transport, the provision of housing for first-time buyers, and incentives to combat the parking charges being introduced in April.

Cllr Bull said: "It's given us a wish list that people want to see included, and we must use the information we have been given.

"One resident commented that he's been to conferences before where ideas were put on flip charts then just left behind when the conference had finished.

"It's important we don't let that happen here," he said.