CRAVEN'S long awaited planning blueprint for the next 15 years will go out to public consultation next week.

The draft Local Plan will be published on Craven District Council's website from Monday and will also be available at libraries and the council offices.

People will be able to comment on the plan, which shows areas of preferred new housing and employment sites, as well as conservation and recreation, for six weeks.

Following the consultation period, it will return to the full council before going to the Secretary of State and final adoption some time early next year.

Once adopted, the plan will be used by the council when deciding planning applications up to 2030.

Cllr Richard Foster, chairman of the spatial planning sub committee, urged people to comment on the plan.

“We want a local plan that is right for Craven, one that helps us make the best possible decisions in the future about the use of land," he said.

He said comments received from residents, businesses and organisations at a series of drop-in sessions had provided valuable information and views about possible development sites.

"The draft plan reflects the input we received, and now we are asking people to have a say on the entire plan before it enters the formal process for adoption by the council.”

The plan can be viewed at cravendc.gov.uk, at the council offices at Belle Vue Square, Broughton Road, and in libraries at Skipton, Cross Hills, Embsay, Settle, Bentham and Ingleton.It will also be available on the mobile library service.

Comments need to be made by November 3.

The planning policy team can also be contacted on 01756 706472 or by emailing localplan@cravendc.gov.uk.