RESIDENTS in Whittington parish are being invited to have their say on how the future of their area could look.

A draft version of Whittington Neighbourhood Plan entered its six-week consultation period on Monday, allowing residents to comment before it enters a formal examination process.

Neighbourhood plans allow communities to set out planning policies to guide development within their area.

A steering group for Whittington Neighbourhood Plan has been consulting with residents on what they want to see in the area.

Chairman of the steering group John Roberts said: “People like the rural nature of the parish and living in small communities which are distinct from each other, as well as the local landscape. We guided our principles on that.

“What they didn’t want to have is unguided development, such as big housing estates on the edge of villages.

“We have got a set of policies which are for sustainable development. It accepts a 30 per cent increase in the Whittington parish, which incorporates existing new developments in the area which already have planning permission.”

Following the consultation period, final changes will be made before the examination process. If it passes this stage, the plan will go to a local referendum.

An open meeting will be held in Great Whittington Parish Hall on June 10 from 10am until 1pm, where residents can ask questions and speak to the steering group, members of the parish council and representatives from the planning department at Northumberland County Council.