COUNCILLORS in North Bradley are encouraging villagers to take control of their future and help the parish council create a Neighbourhood Plan.

The first of a series of public consultations will be taking place this Saturday (February 25) and residents will be invited to have their say and help develop the proposal.

The steering group, spearheaded by Councillor Horace Prickett, hopes to engage the local community and follow in the footsteps of nearby West Ashton Parish Council, which is well on its way to completing the process.

Cllr Prickett said: “A Neighbourhood Plan will give the residents of North Bradley the opportunity to take control of their future.

"The plans give us more say on our parishes and what can be done within them."

Section 106 agreements, which secure affordable housing, specify the type and timing of housing, and secure financial contributions for infrastructure, are being replaced by a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which allows local authorities to choose what to charge on new developments in the area.

"At the moment in this area it equals £55 per square metre," said Cllr Prickett. "If every house is between 90 and 100 square metres that would equal up to £5,500 per home.

“Parish councils can get 15 per cent from development in their area but if there is a Neighbourhood Plan in place they will get 25 per cent. "With this extra money we can do more for the local community – we could afford to make changes to The Willows pre-school.”

The first North Bradley Neighbourhood Plan public consultation will be taking place at the Progressive Hall in Woodmarsh on Saturday (February 25) from 11am-1pm and then from 4pm-5pm.

For more dates on Neighbourhood Plan meetings visit www.northbradley.org.uk