RESIDENTS of the parish of Hanley Castle are being offered the chance to comment on the new neighbourhood plan, which is intended to shape development in the area over the next few years

Work began on the plan in 2014, and after two years, the first draft of the plan is ready to go out to consultation.

The plan has been written by a parish council working group headed by cllr Robert Lamb, and over the next few weeks, community groups such as the WI, the village society, church council, and schools will be consulted.

It will also be available on the parish council's website.

Once the comments have been received they will be reviewed, and then the final draft will go to Malvern Hills District Council and then to a parish referendum once the district council has approved it.

Neighbourhood plans are part of the Localism Bill and it is hoped that all the effort of going through the process will mean that communities such as Hanley Castle will have more say in the number, types, location and design of developments within the parish.

Cllr Lamb said: "We hope people will take time to read through our first draft and we would like to receive comments by the end of August so that we can move swiftly as we approach the final stage.”

The plan is available at Hanleyswan.net or in printed form from the parish clerk on 01684 292115 or at the Swan Inn or the village shop in Hanley Swan or Three Kings Inn, Hanley Castle.