Views sought on seventh Neighbourhood Plan for Moorlands

Another Staffordshire Moorlands parish is taking advantage of a national scheme to give communities more say over how their neighbourhood develops.

Forsbrook Parish Council has given the go-ahead for the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan to cover its area - bringing the total number of Plans in preparation in the Moorland to seven.

Neighbourhood planning was introduced by the Localism Act 2011and is aimed at giving members of the community a voice in determining the future development of the area in which they live.

Once a Plan is 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 the area are considered.

Councillor Edwin Wain, cabinet member for planning, development and property, said: "A four-week consultation period on the proposed Neighbourhood Plan Area for Forsbrook starts today (Thursday 15 February) and we are asking anyone interested in the future development of the area to share their views.

"You can view the application, and make your comments online, via the Council's website and you have until Thursday 15 March to tell us what you think."

The easiest way to make comments will be directly online via a simple web form which doesn't require registration. Alternatively, you can email neighbourhoodplans@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk or write to Regeneration, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6HQ.

Forsbrook joins Biddulph Town Council, Brown Edge Parish Council, Checkley Parish Council, Draycott in the Moors Parish Council, Leekfrith Parish Council and Rushton Parish Council who are also developing Neighbourhood Plans for their own areas.