CHRISTCHURCH Town Council are appealing for residents to join the oversight committee for the town’s new Neighbourhood Plan.

Town councillors held their inaugural meeting of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group on Wednesday July 29.

In order to provide a coherent and overarching vision for the town, the town council are looking to appoint seven members of the public to join the Working Group to help steer the process with Dorset Planning Consultants, who were appointed earlier this year.

Cllr Michael Tarling said: “This is a great opportunity for the residents of Christchurch to have a say in the future shape and development of Christchurch for homes, the high street and businesses.

“With the recent announcement from the Prime Minister making it easier for builders to build homes without full planning permission, it’s going to be very important for Christchurch to set out our own vision for the town.

“There’s a lot of pressure on housing, and this is only going to increase in Christchurch as more people around the country re-evaluate where they live, especially with homeworking in the Post-Covid changed workplace.”

Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area.

They are able to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, have their say on what those new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided, and grant planning permission for the new buildings they want to see go ahead.

When the positions are filled, the working group will then start the process of public consultation.

Details on how to apply are available via www.christchurch-tc.gov.uk.