Your place, your space, your say: Planning for the future of Wellingborough

Formal public consultation starts this week and runs until 31 December.

The Site Specific Proposals Plan aims to achieve the right balance between the need for development in the borough and the protection of the environment. It answers common questions about when and where people could see new homes, educational facilities and employment opportunities, taking into account the need for nature conservation and open spaces. The plan is at an early stage - the 'preferred options' stage - and there is plenty of time for people to make their views known.

To help people understand the plan and to encourage as much feedback as possible, council officers are putting on a series of public events. At these events people will have the opportunity to talk to the council's planning policy team, view the plan, ask questions and give comments. The events are being held at:

• Morrisons, Wellingborough, 23 and 24 November 9.30am-4pm
  
• Swansgate shopping centre, Wellingborough, 25 and 26 November, 9.30am-4pm
  
• Parish Hall, Earls Barton, 1 December 1.30pm-9pm
  
• Parochial Rooms, Wollaston, 2 December 1.30pm-9pm
  
• Village Hall, Irchester, 8 December 4.30pm-9pm
  
• Community Centre, Finedon, 9 December 1.30pm-9pm

The plan can be viewed and commented on via the council's website www.wellingborough.gov.uk and copies are also available to view at local libraries and at the council's Croyland Abbey office. For more information, call 01933 231 921 or email planning@wellingborough.gov.uk

Cllr Graham Lawman, chairman of the council's development committee said: "This is people's opportunity to get involved and help shape the future of their communities. The plan sets out preferred options for land use, based on what we know at the moment. This could change and there is still plenty of time for different conclusions to be drawn. It's very important that people take the time to consider the plan and give us their feedback."