A NEIGHBOURHOOD plan for Haydon Bridge is set to move a step closer.

Neighbourhood planning, introduced through the Localism Act in 2011, gives communities the opportunity to shape how their area should grow and change in the future by establishing a series of priorities on planning and development.

The plan was discussed at the meeting of Haydon Parish Council on Thursday.

Peter Fletcher, of the Haydon Bridge and Haydon Parish Development Trust, said that a public meeting will hopefully be held in January.

Peter said: “We want to ask the community what the issues are affecting the parish.

“The plan will be very community participative, we can’t just go in a room and write it there has to be evidence of community participation.”

The neighbourhood plan will act as a guideline for future planning in the parish, with all residents invited to have their say during a public consultation.

Once the plan is agreed upon by residents it will be submitted to Northumberland County Council for approval.

If the council approve the plan, there will be a referendum in the parish to decide whether the plan will be adopted.

Peter added: “It won’t be like Brexit - it will be fantastic.”