Three parishes propose neighbourhood plans

Three Staffordshire Moorlands parishes are taking advantage of a national scheme to give communities more say over how their neighbourhoods develop.

Biddulph Town Council, Brown Edge Parish Council and Checkley Parish Council have all given the go-ahead for preparation of a Neighbourhood Development Plan to cover their parish areas.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is now seeking people's views on the proposed Neighbourhood Areas - the first step towards preparation of a Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Councillor Edwin Wain, cabinet member for planning, development and property at the District Council, said: "Neighbourhood planning is part of the planning system introduced by the Localism Act 2011. It gives members of a community a real voice in the future development of the neighbourhood in which they live.

"Once a neighbourhood plan has been prepared - and then adopted by the District Council - it becomes part of the Staffordshire Moorlands Development Plan and is taken account of when planning applications in these areas are considered."

A consultation on the proposed areas for the three plans is now underway and residents have until 5pm on Thursday 4 February to share their views.