STEPS are being taken to set up a designated neighbourhood planning area to cover the parish of Bradworthy.

There will be a formal consultation on whether the local community supports it as a suitable area for neighbourhood planning.

The formal consultations will take place from Friday, January 29, to Friday, February 26.

Bradworthy Parish Council is proposing the idea for neighbourhood planning. It feels it would be appropriate to prepare local planning policies that address the needs and wishes of the community.

The point of a neighbourhood plan, introduced through the Localism Act in 2011, is to give communities the opportunity to shape and define how their area should grow and change in the future.

Through the plan, they are able to use powers to shape where new homes, and businesses should be built and say what those new buildings should look like

If they so choose, a local community can also prepare a ‘Neighbourhood Development Plan’ to sit alongside the local plan and national polices as part of the future development of the area or community.

The role Torridge District Council plays in such matters is to provide support to groups involved in the planning process by providing advice and both practical and technical support.

Details of the application put forward by Bradworthy Parish Council can be viewed on the Torridge District Council’s website at www.torridge.gov.uk/bradworthy-neighbourhoodplan

The public are also able to make representation on whether the parish of Bradworthy is an appropriate neighbourhood area may be made to the Torridge District Council through consult.torridge.gov.uk or by email [email protected] or by post to Planning Policy at Riverbank EX39 2QG.

Any comments must be received by 5pm on Friday, February 26.