RESIDENTS are invited to have their say on plans for a multi-million pound relief road.

Further consultation is taking place over Axminster relief road and town development masterplan.

Residents will have a chance to provide comment on a draft masterplan for the development of the Axminster relief road and associated development at an event at the Guildhall this evening.

The council has been working with Persimmon Homes and The Crown Estate through consultants HYAS Associates to produce a masterplan for the eastern expansion of the town allocated in the East Devon Local Plan. A workshop and public drop-in event for the Axminster masterplan was held back in the summer and the information and views received from that initial round of consultation have been used to help inform the production of a draft masterplan.

The proposed masterplan will show how the relief road could be delivered and will provide details on how the road’s funding shortfall could be sourced – the council has already secured £10million of Housing Infrastructure Fund from the government, but will still need a further £6.7million in order to deliver the project.

The masterplan will also detail how associated homes, employment and community facilities would be distributed across the designated site on the eastern side of Axminster, alongside key pedestrian routes to integrate the development with the town.

Once agreed, the masterplan will provide a template for the development of the site, which will provide a guide for planning applications, which are expected to be made by Persimmon Homes and the Crown Estate.

Cllr Ian Hall, ward member for Axminster Rural, said: “This is the second consultation event on the masterplan for the delivery of the relief road for Axminster, which is key to the future of the town.

“As with the first event, I urge residents to attend the latest consultation event to let us know what you think of the proposals, so that comments can be taken on board to help produce a masterplan that reflects the aspirations of the town.”

You can comment on the draft Axminster masterplan tonight between 4pm and 6.30pm.