MEMBERS of the Boscombe community are being urged to come together to help formulate a plan aimed at improving the area's heritage sites, transportation links, environment, as well as socio-economic and housing issues.

The Neighbourhood Plan scheme, established by the 2011 Localism Act, will allow the community to establish policies for planning and development in designated areas, such as allocating sites for house-building and preserving others for certain uses, if approved.

The group's chairman Harry Seccombe said he hopes the scheme - which will cost anywhere from £30,000-£60,000, funded in part by the Government - will give residents and workers in the area the chance to have their say on what improvements they would like to see in and around Boscombe East and West.

The two-year process, which began to unfold last year, is also aimed at restricting developers coming in and using sites for yet more flats, something the area could do with less of, said Mr Seccombe.

"It is a group vision," he said. "It is completely informed by local people and for businesses too."

The group needs to have responses from 20,000 people in order to have a fair reflection of what the town as a whole wants to see whether that be a community centre, more parks or family housing.

It is quickly picking up momentum with regular meetings every two months and an increasing rate of membership.

With the help of planning advisor Martha Covell, who has worked on neighbourhood plans in the past, the group hopes to host a six-week consultation some time next year mixed with family fun days.

Ms Covell told the Daily Echo that residents seemed to take heed when it came to housing issues - particularly when it came to the matter of Houses of Multiple Occupancy.

"That really struck a chord with people - knowing they could wake up and be next door to a HMO," she said. "The response we've had from people so far is that they want to see more family housing. But we want everyone's views so that we can reach a consensus."

Mr Seccombe added: "Boscombe is a place of great potential but sometimes it's like pulling teeth. Over the last five years with this regeneration partnership there has been a lot more confidence and energy going into Boscombe.

"With this being a community-led approach I think it will lead the way for Boscombe to reach its potential."

For more information on meetings and the project visit boscombepokesdown.org.uk.