RESIDENTS, local businesses and stakeholders are being asked to have their say on Wyre Forest District Council's draft Local Plan preferred options document.

The document covers topics including how many new houses are required and where they will go, where new employment area should be and what additional services, such as transport and schools, will be needed to support development up until 2034.

The council is proposing two options - one option sees additional development concentrated to the east/south of Kidderminster, while the second option would see growth more widely dispersed, particularly around Stourport and adjacent to Lea Castle.

The full details on both options can be found at wyreforestdc.gov.uk/localplanreview. They can also be viewed at the Worcestershire Hub, in Vicar Street, and in libraries in the district.

Council leader Marcus Hart said: "We need to hear from the community and get people taking part in this important consultation.

"There are some difficult decisions to be made about where development should be and how to balance that with protecting the natural assets of our beautiful district."

Both options include development on greenbelt land and there are different implications for transport networks for the two approaches.

Councillor Ian Hardiman, cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, added: "According to the evidence gathered, we know that the council needs to plan for the development of 300 new houses per year up until 2034.

"Unfortunately, not all of this can be accommodated on brownfield land, so regrettably this does mean there will need to be development in the greenbelt.

"We are committed to protecting our greenbelt land and it is anticipated that the proposals will involve around two per cent of the land allocated for greenbelt land in the district."

A series of drop-in sessions have also been arranged for people to find out more information about the Local Plan and how it may affect them. They are taking place at:

- Heronswood Primary School, in Heronswood Road, on Monday, July 10, between 3.45pm and 8pm,

- The Wyre Room, at St George's Hall, in Load Street, Bewdley, on Wednesday, July 19, between 2pm and 7pm,

- Rowland Hill Centre, in Kidderminster, on Friday, July 21, between 1pm and 5.30pm,

- Offmore Evangelical Church Hall, in Mike Oborski Close, on Saturday, July 22, between 10am and 4pm,

- Areley Kings Village Hall, in Areley Common, Stourport, on Wednesday, July 26, between 1.30pm and 6.30pm,

- Cookley Village Hall, in Lea Lane, on Friday, July 28, between 2pm and 7pm,

- Stourport Civic Hall, on Saturday, July 29, between 10am and 4pm,

- St Oswald's Church Centre, in Broadwaters Drive, on Friday, August 4, between 2pm and 7pm.

The deadline for responses is 5pm on Monday, August 14.

Comments should be submitted by visiting wyreforestdc.gov.uk/localplanreview or by emailing LPR@wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

Responses can also be posted to Planning Policy Team, Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF.