THE community in Calington is this week being urged to come forward to have their say on shaping the future of the town.

The town council is embarking on a Neighbourhood Plan, which gives the community more power in planning local development, with a say on where new homes, shops and offices should be built, a say on what those new buildings should look like, grant planning permission for new buildings the community want to see, protecting open spaces and identifying projects the community would like to bring forward.

A sub-committee has been formed by the council, comprising Cllr Maria Coakley, Cllr Rick Lumley and Cllr Mark Smith, who will work with town clerk Helen Dowdall to develop the plan.

Mrs Dowdall said: 'With the Localism theme, the Government is encouraging parishes and towns to develop in accordance with what their people want.

'The town council is using this initiative to make Callington the place our residents want it to be. We need to recognise that new development will be required, both residential and commercial, but at the same time protect the areas of interest and local history.'

Mrs Dowdall said it was very much a community-based project, with the residents shaping and delivering new development in the area, using the neighbourhood planning tools.

The decision to create a neighbourhood plan follows the Government's reduction in planning policies across Cornwall to simplify the planning process.

A neighbourhood plan will allow the town council to develop its own planning policies reflecting the priorities of local people, but it must conform with the Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

The council is now looking for people to come forward to express their views and join the sub-committee, and will be holding a stall at the town's Community Day this Saturday (March 22) in the town hall, for people to find out more information or to register an interest.

The plan will take a couple of years to form, and then will be scrutinised and voted on by the community at a referendum.

The council is keen for arguments and views to be put forward at an early stage, so as not to have people disagree with the plan and not vote for it.

Mrs Dowdall said: 'We have got to have the arguments forward before it goes to referendum, otherwise it could get chucked out and it would have been a waste of time and money. We need to hear everyone's arguments now.'

Cllr Lumley said a neighbourhood plan was 'absolutely crucial' for Callington: 'It is the only way to make sure that Callington survives.

'Personally, I think the first step is to consider what we do have — what is important to the community and what aspects we need to keep.

'Then, from there, move forward to think about where to put new residential buildings, where we want to put industrial units, what new infrastructure is needed and how to make Callington fit for the 21st century, while still maintaining our cultural and historical heritage.'

The council is looking for a wide range of people to be involved, including people with useful skills and talents.

Anyone interested should visit the councillors on the sub-committee at the community day on Saturday, between 10am to 1pm.