There is still time for residents, businesses and landowners in and around Burscough are being encouraged to give their views on an exciting new plan for their local area.

The Burscough Parish Neighbourhood Plan has been prepared by Burscough Parish Council in consultation with the local community and has now been passed to West Lancashire Borough Council to take forward for examination in line with national legislation.

The Neighbourhood Plan contains a vision, objectives and planning policies for the Burscough parish area, covering a time period to 2027. It will shape what development takes place in the future and where, what new buildings will be expected to look like, what new infrastructure may be needed and which sites, such as open spaces, should be protected.

The Borough Council is reminding people about the public consultation that is taking place until 20 February 2019 on this exciting project, during which time comments are invited. The consultation is open to anyone, but the Council would particularly like to hear the views of people living and working in Burscough. Once the consultation ends the neighbourhood plan and responses received will be sent to an independent examiner who will consider if the plan is satisfactory.

If so, there will then be a referendum for people living in the Burscough Parish area to decide if they are in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan. If a majority are in favour, the Neighbourhood Plan would then be adopted as West Lancashire Borough Council policy. It would then be used to determine planning applications in the Burscough parish area alongside the West Lancashire Local Plan and other local and national planning policies.

Councillor John Hodson, portfolio holder for Planning, said "The Burscough Parish Neighbourhood Plan has been drafted by Burscough Parish Council and is the first such plan to be produced in West Lancashire. The Parish Council have spent a significant amount of time working with the local community to decide the content of the plan.

"The public consultation is a great opportunity for residents, businesses and landowners to have a further say upon the neighbourhood plan and shape the future of the local area. We are grateful to everyone who has already made comments for the consultation and would encourage others who want to give their views to do so through the appropriate channels by 20 February 2019."

To see a copy of the Neighbourhood Plan and find out how you can give your views please visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/np.

Paper copies of the Burscough Parish Neighbourhood Plan and response form can also be obtained from Martland Mill, Burscough library and the Grove Community Centre as well as West Lancashire Borough Council offices, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk.

If you have any queries in relation to submitting your response to the Burscough Parish Neighbourhood please telephone 01695 585194 to speak to a Borough Council officer.