MEMBERS of the public are being invited to have their say on the latest stage in the preparation of Bury's Local Plan.

The plan will be used to guide future development across the borough, sitting alongside the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework.

The six-week consultation is open now to residents and any other interested parties, and will close at 5pm on November 30.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Bury Council’s cabinet member for finance and housing said: “The Local Plan will be an important document that will set out a long-term framework to guide and manage future growth and development in Bury over the next twenty years.

"It will set out Bury’s local approach to development and will sit alongside the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, which deals with more strategic issues across the conurbation.

"Both documents will seek to ensure that we deliver sustainable and managed growth and concentrate efforts on brownfield sites to meet local needs and help regenerate the urban area.”

While the spatial framework will deal with regional strategic planning matters, the Local Plan will deal with issues only relevant to Bury tackling policies concerning: sustainable development; health and wellbeing; climate change; air quality and pollution control; flood risk management; efficient use of land; design and layout of new development; amenity; and planning conditions and obligations.

Among the plan's main priorities are addressing air quality issues, increasing affordable housing, managing flood risk, and ensuring that new developments do not lead to unacceptable impacts on the natural and built environment.

Cllr O'Brien added: “We are only seeking views on the Local Plan’s Policy Directions report and its supporting evidence at this stage. There will be an opportunity to comment on issues being dealt with through the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework when the revised draft of that document is published for consultation later in the year.”

To have your say email your comments to planning.policy@bury.gov.uk or send them in writing to Development Plans Unit, Strategic Planning and Economic Development, Department for Resources and Regulation, 3 Knowsley Place, Duke Street, Bury BL9 0EJ.

For more information visit bury.gov.uk/localplan or inspect paper copies at Bury Town Hall and Knowsley Place Receptions; Bury, Prestwich, Radcliffe and Ramsbottom Libraries; and the Tottington Centre.