RESIDENTS of Bridport and the surrounding parishes will be asked for their opinions on future development of the area.

As part of the neighbourhood plan consultation, residents in Bridport, Allington, Bothenhampton, Walditch, Bradpole and Symondsbury will receive information and a questionnaire to have their say on development proposals.

The proposals have been put together by volunteers, building their work and research on the community consultations that took place throughout 2016 and earlier this year. The plan, which is being developed to act as a local planning policy document, will hold legal weight, equal to the West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan, if approved by the community in a later referendum.

Phyllida Culpin, chairman of the neighbourhood plan steering group, said: “Please read the leaflet and fill in the questionnaire – it’s really important that we hear from as many people as possible as the plan will shape development in our area for many years.

"If you have questions or want to talk about the proposals do contact us – we are waiting to hear from you.”

In order to help shape what the plan contains, local people are being surveyed throughout July and August and can complete the questionnaire either by hand or online.

Twenty two drop-off points are available for completed surveys across the area and are listed on the leaflets and on the website. There are also parish meetings and surgeries across the area and anyone can go along to one that is convenient to them, find out more and give their views. The dates and venues are listed below.

The plan will develop real policies that will have a real impact and legal standing for future planning applications.

A host of parish meetings and surgeries will be held to discuss the emerging local plan.

Surgeries will take place today (13) from 10.30am to 12pm at Bradpole village hall, on July 18 from 10am until 12pm at the Salt House, West Bay, on July 19 from 2pm until 6pm at Walditch village hall. More surgeries will be held on July 22 from 2pm until 6pm at Bothenhampton village hall, from 6pm until 7pm on July 25 at The Old Pottery, Symondsbury Manor Yard and from 2pm until 4pm on July 26 at Bridport Town Hall.

Bradpole Parish Council will meet on August 3 from 6pm until 7.15pm at the village hall, when the public can ask about the emerging neighbourhood plan, while Allington Parish Council will meet at 7.30pm on September 12 at the Cherry Tree.

For more information, visit vision-2030.co.uk or email info@vision-2030.co.uk or call 01308 456722.