PEOPLE are being urged to have their say on a plan giving people in Sturminster Marshall a bigger say over planning decisions.

Sturminster Marshall Parish Council has submitted a new draft neighbourhood plan for examination.

The document, drawn up by residents, has been agreed by the council.

Neighbourhood plans are intended to guide councils on planning applications, outlining areas for development, design guidelines and more.

If the neighbourhood plan is approved following examination, and supported by a local referendum, it will be used to make decisions on applications.

Dorset Council, which will decide on whether the plan is accepted, is required to consult on the draft before the examination can take place.

People who live, work or run a business in the Sturminster Marshall neighbourhood area have until Friday, March 1 to submit comments regarding the proposed plan.

Any comments received will then be passed on to an independent examiner to consider, along with the draft.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “It takes a tremendous amount of work to put together a Neighbourhood Plan. I congratulate all involved in getting to this stage.

“Neighbourhood plans give local communities a real say in how their area should change over time. I would therefore encourage anyone with an interest in the future development of Sturminster Marshall to view the plans and submit any feedback they may have.”

For more details, and to comment on the plan, log on to consultation.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/spatial-planning/smnp.

Copies will also be available for public inspection at: Wimborne Library; The Spar Shop, Station Road, Sturminster Marshall; and St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Sturminster Marshall. At all locations, this will be during the venue’s normal opening hours.

Anyone commenting should let the council know if they wish to be kept informed of the progress of the plan.