RESIDENTS are being urged to scrutinise and comment on Purton’s draft Neighbourhood Plan as the scheme nears its final steps with the opening of the pre-submission consultation stage.

The Neighbourhood Plan (NP) is an initiative that is part of the 2011 Localism Act which gives local communities the power to shape the future development and planning decisions of their area.

Purton Parish was selected as part of the ‘frontrunner’ scheme initiated by Wiltshire Council six years ago and a councillors hope a finalised NP will be adopted by the end of the year.

Parish councillor Ray Thomas said: “We have worked hard to develop our Neighbourhood Plan and to shape the development and growth of our parish.

“We have worked hard to develop it to reflect the views and needs of our parishioners.”

The designated area for the Purton Neighbourhood Plan covers the large village of Purton together with Purton Stoke, The Fox, Hayes Knoll as well as the new developments at Mouldon View and Ridgeway Farm.

The consultation will be open to all parishioners and will run for six weeks from Monday, July 3 to Monday, August 14.

Dr Richard Pagett of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group said: “It is important for residents and interested parties to engage in the consultation and provide us with their views on the Plan and what is important to Purton so that we can ensure it is a resilient and robust plan that meets the needs the people of Purton."

Once the consultation closes, feedback will be used to finalise the Plan which will then be submitted to Wiltshire Council who will appoint a planning inspector to ensure it meets legislation.

It will then be put to a referendum before being adopted into Wiltshire’s Local Development Plan.

The NP and supporting documents can be obtained from the Parish Council website at purtonparishcouncil.gov.uk/Neighbourhood-Plan

Hard copies can be obtained from Purton Parish Council parish clerk by emailing clerk@purtonpc.eclipse.co.uk or may be viewed in Purton Library or the village hall.