Volunteers in Penrith are coming together to launch an ambitious new initiative aimed at shaping the town’s future through the creation of a new community led plan that will be created by the community involving as many people as want to get involved including those who Live, Work and Visit the town.
The group working to take forward the community led plan said “Penrith has lots of groups and organisations each doing bits but the town lacks a clear vision bringing everything together that means everyone is working together to deliver what the community wants. The lack of a plan for the future of the town means things are often reactionary to situations rather than developed to benefit the town.”
It’s hoped the community led plan, titled ‘Your Penrith’, will see the current small group of local people—supported by Evolve Penrith—lead a wide-reaching programme of engagement throughout 2026/27 to gather views, ideas and priorities from across the community.
The work will form the foundation of a new Community-Led Plan, designed to reflect what matters most to those who live, work in, or regularly visit the town.
Organisers say the plan will focus on protecting what people value about Penrith while also identifying opportunities to strengthen the local economy, improve facilities and ensure the town continues to meet the needs of its community.
The previous community-led plan was created more than a decade ago, and those behind the new initiative say now is the right time to revisit the town’s vision in a rapidly changing world.
A spokesperson for the project said Penrith remains “a great little town—special to each of us in different ways,” but added that broad community input will be essential to guide its future direction.
Residents are being encouraged to share what they love about the town, what they feel is missing, and how they would like to be involved in delivering change.
The Community-Led Plan will outline key issues facing Penrith, along with practical actions. Some of these may be led directly by the community, while others could involve partnership working with organisations including local councils, business groups and regional authorities.
The initiative will officially begin with a Launch and Visioning Day in June, where initial ideas and themes will be explored. Further opportunities to take part—including events, meetings and surveys—will follow throughout the year.
The current timetable aims for:
early engagement and idea gathering between June and November 2026
drafting of the plan by early 2027
public consultation on the draft before final publication in April 2027
However, organisers say this schedule will remain flexible to ensure the process reflects the level of community involvement.
Once completed, delivery of the plan will depend on the nature of the actions identified. Some may be taken forward by councils or established organisations, while others could be led by local groups or new volunteer initiatives.
Anyone interested in getting involved or finding out more is encouraged to contact the steering group via clp@yourpenrith.co.uk.
Invitations to local organisations including the councils, Business Improvement District’s and other local organisations and groups will be sent over the next few weeks inviting them to get involved and work collaboratively to create a plan for the towns future with the community.
Organisers say the success of the plan will depend on participation from across the community.
A dedicated website is due to be launched early next week that will explain the purpose of a community led plan and how it’s developed along with how people can get involved both in person and via the online platform to put forward ideas and suggestions and take part in the discussion of ideas and development of the plan.
Evolve Penrith added: “This is a real opportunity for people to have their say and help shape a plan that is truly owned by the community—one that ensures Penrith remains a place we can all be proud of.” “It’s important to set out this is not a plan about building houses like the town council neighbourhood plan or the failed Penrith Masterplan.”
“We first started discussing the idea of a new community led plan in 2021 but the town council was working on development of its Neighbourhood plan that focuses on planning development rather than community led plan setting a vision for the town.”
“The group believes that the time is now right to progress with the community a community led plan that is about people and place and how you want ‘Your Town’ to be over the next decade.”
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