By Saul Cooke-Black

RESIDENTS in Stonehouse are being invited to help shape the future of the town at a meeting about the neighbourhood plan.

Stonehouse Neighbourhood Plan Group is holding the ‘Shaping Stonehouse: Neighbourhood Plan update’ event at the town hall on Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Residents can drop in to find out how the Stonehouse neighbourhood plan is taking shape, meet members of the working group and have their say on future developments.

Saturday’s event is to gather views on draft policy ideas on the themes of housing, environment, economic development, amenities and facilities.

A group of residents and town councillors are currently in the process of developing a new Neighbourhood Development Plan.

It will shape, protect and enhance Stonehouse through to 2031.

The group is aiming to have a draft plan ready for formal consultation in January, 2016.

Previous consultations have shown that issues that matter to the community include the protection of green spaces, the re-opening of Bristol Road railway station, traffic in the town centre and keeping shops and services such as banks, the library and post office.

More information can be found at www.stonehousetowncouncil.com.