AN OUTGOING village leader has reflected on a challenging year that will change the face of Moulton.

Plans for housing estates off Barnside Way and Jack Lane featured heavily in Clr Tony Rigby’s review of his year as chairman of the parish council.

“It’s fair to say that last year has not been short of major challenges,” he said.

He added: “We will wait for full applications to see how these developments will materialise but there is no doubt they will change the look and feel of our village forever.

“We will continue to do as much as we can do to make sure the impact is limited as much as possible.”

Clr Rigby said the council would fight to make sure that developer contributions to the community and infrastructure, known as a Section 106 agreement, are spent in the village and for the benefit of the community.

He also urged residents to get involved in the neighbourhood plan, which is a chance to influence future development in the village.

“The neighbourhood plan is in its draft form and being looked at by a specialist,” he said.

“It will be distributed to every house in the village and it’s important that people comment on the places listed in the plan as it’s important that we make a plan that reflects the view of the community.”

Clr Rigby praised the parish council’s ongoing work to transform Weaver Road play area into a quiet area for the village and its revamp of the village’s war memorial, as well as installing outdoor gym equipment at Main Road playing field and running IT sessions for older residents.

He said: “Clr Allan Aston will be taking over as chairman and I wish him well in taking forward some of the various initiatives we’ve been talking about.”