CRAVEN people are being urged to have their say on a blueprint which will guide future minerals and waste planning applications.

The draft plan, published by a partnership of organisations including North Yorkshire County Council, relates to proposed developments such as the hugely controversial fracking.

Also included are schemes like recycling centres and new or extended quarries.

Measures in the strategy include extended buffer zones to protect residential locations and environmentally-important sites.

Once approved, the document will form a key reference for planning decisions over the next 15 years.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for business and environmental services, said the plan had been three-and-a-half years in the making.

"It has been amended and refined over this period by taking into account responses from extensive consultation and it gives robust protection to the environment and landscape of our beautiful county," he added.

"It will become the Bible for guiding future planning decisions."

Public consultation runs until December 21.

The plan and supporting documents can be viewed at northyorks.gov.uk/mwconsult.

Also, paper copies are available from libraries and main council offices.