PEOPLE-POWER is leading the way in a village community.

The Moulton Parish Plan, drawn up by residents and representatives of community groups, details what they want for the future and which areas they would like to see developed.

It has just been adopted by Moulton Parish Council, which says it is the first plan in the borough to be adopted - though many more parish plans or village design statements are expected to follow in other areas.

The idea came about when the parish council conducted a survey of residents' views. Council chiefs then applied for a grant to produce a more formal plan recognised by authorities such the borough and county councils.

Parish council chairman Mark Green said: 'We applied for a grant in 2002, got the funding in mid-2003 and started the process with a large public meeting in July last year.

'The plan was not drawn up by the parish council, rather, it required all sections of the community to be involved. Our first public meeting started to identify the main issues, and then we elected a steering group to manage the process.' All sections of the community were involved, including representatives of the parish council, WI, protest group RAMP (Residents Against Mine Pollution), local businesses, the church, youth groups such as Moulton Adventure Group, Moulton Football Club and the Brownies, and residents.

They revealed five main issues - traffic problems, youth and leisure facilities, the environment, social and community action and support for local businesses.

Focus groups were established to investigate the problems and work out possible solutions.

Cllr Green said: 'A questionnaire went out at the beginning of 2004 to ask local people what they felt about the solutions and had we missed anything out, from that the final plan was developed, and we again had open days to get feedback.

'This included an excellent session in Moulton Primary School, where the schoolchildren gave feedback about what they wanted.'

The plan will shortly be submitted to the Countryside Agency, which provides the grant funding, and the borough and county councils.