VILLAGERS in Cookley and Caunsall could have a greater say in shaping the areas they live in if a council proposal is adopted.

Wolverley and Cookley Parish Council is intending to produce a Neighbourhood Plan for the two areas of the parish.

It has applied to Wyre Forest District Council for the designation of a neighbourhood area for Cookley and Caunsall which is the first stage of the process.

If this gets the go-ahead, the parish council can get on with preparing a Neighbourhood Plan, setting out how residents would like the area to develop in the future.

This will give people the chance to influence where developments such as housing schemes and community facilities should go.

Neighbourhood planning is a key component of the Government’s Localism Act, devolving powers to councils and neighbourhoods.

Councillor Ian Hardiman, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration said: ‘’Neighbourhood planning is really growing in popularity.

“Communities can see how they can shape where development goes, but they need to take an active role.

“We would encourage residents to get involved in this first stage of the process and give us their comments on the proposed neighbourhood area for Cookley and Caunsall.”

Members of the public are being asked to make their comments on the proposed neighbourhood area before Wyre Forest District Council makes a decision on the application.

The consultation starts on Wednesday (June 27) and comments can be emailed to planning.policy@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or sent to the Planning Policy Team, Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF.

A copy of the application and a map showing the proposed neighbourhood area will be available on the council website at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplanning.

All comments on the neighbourhood area application must be received by Wyre Forest District Council by no later than 5pm on Wednesday, August 8.