RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on proposals that could shape the future of Poole up until 2033.

The draft Poole Local Plan, which was agreed by Borough of Poole (BOP) councillors last month, will eventually form a planning blueprint detailing where 14,200 new homes could be built within the borough.

It also includes potential new employment sites and other infrastructure.

The latest version of the draft plan, which the borough says has been shaped by “robust evidence” and “responses from last year’s consultation” outlines a number of key sites for preferred future development.

These include:

Sites for 6,000 homes in the town centre.

5,000 homes in other areas with the most access to public transport.

1,900 homes in the remainder of Poole’s urban area.

500 homes on green belt land at Merley and 800 on green belt land at Bearwood.

The release of land at Creekmoor for educational use, to ensure Poole has enough school places by 2033.

Town centre regeneration.

BOP Cllr Ian Potter, cabinet portfolio holder for planning and regeneration, explained: “Poole will see a lot of change over the period to 2033 including new homes, jobs and other facilities that will help Poole prosper over the coming years.

“The Poole Local Plan enables us to meet the needs of our residents both now and in the future and helps guide development and change across the town.”

The local plan is not a planning application, it is a document outlining where the borough - after public consultation - says it thinks the most suitable development site area.

These plans, which all local authorities need to draw up to meet growing national housing need, also give council planning departments better control over which sites companies can apply to redevelop.

Julian McLaughlin, BOP head of growth and infrastructure, said: “I would encourage people to give us their comments and help shape the future of Poole.”

The public consultation is now open and runs until September 22.