A PUBLIC consultation which aims to combine two parishes into one planning area is asking for residents for feedback.

Bures could be set to see its two parishes unified under a shared neighbourhood plan.

The village sits on the Suffolk-Essex boarder and is split between the Braintree and Babergh districts.

There are also two parish councils – Bures Hamlet and Bures St Mary.

Now the parish councils have proposed a single neighbourhood plan.

A neighbourhood plan gives communities the opportunity to develop a shared plan for their their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area.

A six-week consultation on the proposed is being held by Braintree and Babergh council.

The consultation will close at 4pm on Friday, October 15.

The district councils are asking for comments on the proposed neighbourhood development plan area.

A letter by both parish councils to Braintree Council said: “The area is considered appropriate to be designated as an NPA as Bures, a village on the Essex-Suffolk county boundary, straddles that boundary and comprises of the two parishes which make up the area chosen.

“A neighbourhood plan for Bures was on the agenda for the Bures Hamlet Parish Council meeting on May 17 and the Bures St Mary Parish Council meeting on May 20.

“Both councils agreed the area to be designated is the combined parishes of Bures Hamlet and Bures St Mary, the lead local planning authority to be Braintree and the two parishes to be equal partners in the making of the plan.”

For more information, visit braintree.gov.uk/planning-building-control/neighbourhood-planning/13.