Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council has started the process of preparing a neighbourhood plan.

The plan sets out the vision and policies to guide future housing development around the town and allows people living there to influence where this development will go and what it will look like.

The current plan covering 2017 to 2026 was adopted in April 2018 but there are changes being considered in housing requirements in Wiltshire to plan for the period to 2036 and policy changes in the emerging Wiltshire Local Plan.

The council says this means that now is an appropriate time to review Bassett's neighbourhood plan to make sure it continues to meet the needs of the town and is a useful tool for the authority when making decisions on planning applications.

A working group chaired by Coun Steve Walls has been set up which includes councillors and officers, groups' representatives and members of the public. Planning consultants DLP Planning have been appointed to manage the process.

So far, initial discussions have been held with Wiltshire Council strategic planning officers.

An online questionnaire to find out your views will be available from Monday until November 23 at www.royalwoottonbasssett.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning

Paper copies will be available to pick up by calling 01793 850222 / 07595 220655 or emailing enquiries@royalwoottonbassett.gov.uk

Responses will be used to inform a draft version of the new neighbourhood plan which will go to public consultation before being submitted to the local planning authority for examination by a planning inspector. Residents will then have their final say when asked to vote to adopt the plan in a local referendum.

Anyone wishing to take part in the development of the plan should contact Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council via enquiries@royalwoottonbassett.gov.uk or call 01793 850222 / 07595 220655 during office hours.