Sunderland youngsters have their say on city's future plans

Sunderland's young people have had their say on plans for the city's future.
Chair of Sunderland Youth Parliament Tom Crawford (foreground) with Tom Newton and Rachel KrajovskaChair of Sunderland Youth Parliament Tom Crawford (foreground) with Tom Newton and Rachel Krajovska
Chair of Sunderland Youth Parliament Tom Crawford (foreground) with Tom Newton and Rachel Krajovska

Jobs, business growth, transport links and housing needs from now until 2033 were discussed by Sunderland’s Youth Parliament at a special event to focus on the city’s Draft Core and Development Plan.

Members quizzed planners after a presentation on the plan, which also targets challenges such as deprivation and rising obesity within the city, and includes leisure and retail requirements and environmental concerns.

Tom NewtonTom Newton
Tom Newton
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Sunderland Youth Parliament is a group of 22 young people, aged 11 to 18, who work to give a voice to children and teenagers in Sunderland.

The group works with Together for Children to help shape services in the city, regularly meeting with staff as well as Sunderland’s councillors and MPs.

Questions covered key aspects of the plan including new highways, the certainty of completion of developments within the Plan, sports facilities, travellers’ sites and green belt issues.

City council leader Coun Paul Watson said: “It’s great to see young people so motivated and involved with what will happen to their city in the future.

Rachel KrajovskaRachel Krajovska
Rachel Krajovska
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“I’m delighted the Youth Parliament took part in the debate about the draft plan. Events such as this play a very important role in helping us decide upon the future shape of our city.

“We want as many people as possible to have their say about the plan during the consultation period because it will affect not only the younger generation but all of us who live and work in the city up to 2033.”

Tom Newton, member of the Youth Parliament, enjoyed the Local Plan presentation: “Consultation in every form is incredibly important. It’s giving people who are going to be experiencing the effects of the Plan the information they need,” he said.

“It’s important for young people to be involved, and for all areas of the city to take part. At the consultation events it’d be good for families to come along because each generation has their own ideas and priorities.

Tom NewtonTom Newton
Tom Newton
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“The presentation was easy to understand, accessible and informative. I wasn’t aware of some of the aspects of the Plan and the consultation gives us a good overview.”

Fellow member Rachel Krajovska added: “This has been a good introduction to the Plan, and it was put across in a clear way. It means I can now talk about it to others, and although I was aware of some aspects of the Plan I wasn’t aware of others, such as the redevelopments.

“It’s great for the Youth Parliament to be involved in this sort of consultation. It’s exactly why we exist – to be part of the city’s activities and plans for the future.

“There’s a lot to do in the Plan and I hope the big ideas turn into action. I’m sure we’ll be nicely surprised with the developments as they come along – we’ll have to wait and see.”

Consultation events are taking place facross the city this week. To find out venues and times, visit http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=19109&p=0.