Consultations have started on proposals to create a neighbourhood plan for Huntingdon.

The plan, by Huntingdon Town Council, would give residents more of a say over issues like planning, helping to shape the future of the town.

A number of towns and villages have already drawn up the plans and Huntingdon will be running a six-week consultation, with residents’ views being taken into account in the final version.

The council said: “The neighbourhood plan is based on feedback received from a community engagement campaign, including questionnaires, roadshow events and social media engagement.

“This consultation gives Huntingdon residents the chance to comment on the neighbourhood plan and propose any changes.

“The plan will then go on to a referendum and if the majority of residents vote ‘yes’ to the plan it will become part of the statutory development plan.”

It said: “This means any planning applications within the neighbourhood plan area will have to comply with the policies.”

The council said key objectives of the plan included promoting Huntingdon as a place of great potential for investment and opportunity, ensuring that the whole community was well provided for, especially for both younger and older people, and to increase a positive sense of community.

It also wanted to see the protection of the town’s distinctive built and natural environment and a transport infrastructure which was fit for purpose and enabled the community to travel in and around the town.

The plans are subject to an independent examination and, after approval, sit alongside the local plan, which guides development. They also bring a greater share of money paid by developers to offset the impact of their schemes.

The public consultation runs from six weeks from July 23 until September.

Copies of the proposed plan will be available online for comment at www.huntingdontown.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan and also in person at Huntingdon Town Hall.

Comments must be in writing in a form set out by the council: E-mail – town.council@huntingdontown.gov.uk, using the subject line ‘Neighbourhood Plan Consultation’.

By post addressed to Neighbourhood Plan, Huntingdon Town Council, Town Hall, Market Hill, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 3PJ and for members of the public calling in person, comment cards will be available at Huntingdon Town Hall between 9am and 4pm from Monday to Friday.